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Pars pro toto

 
Latin Phrase: Pars pro toto
 

Part of the whole

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Pars pro toto is Latin for "(taking) a part for the whole" where a portion of an object or concept represents the entire object or context. See also synecdoche.

When used in a context of language it means that something is named after a part of it, or after a limited characteristic, in itself not necessarily representative for the whole. For example, "glasses" is a pars pro toto name for something that consists of more than just two pieces of glass.

Pars pro toto is a common device in iconography, where a particular icon can stand for a complete set of characteristics.

The opposite of a pars pro toto is a totum pro parte, in which the whole is used to describe a part, such as Germany for West Germany during the cold war.

In geography

Certain place names are sometimes used to denote an area greater than that warranted by their strict meaning. Examples of this include:

See also


 
 

 

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