Adnominatio
Adnominatio (ad-no-mi-na'-ti-o) is the assigning to a proper name its literal or homophonic meaning. “Falstaff: Is thy name Mouldy? Mouldy: Yea, an't please you. Falstaff: ‘Tis the more time thou wert used. Shallow: Ha, ha, ha! most excellent, i' faith! Things that are mouldy lack use: very singular good! in faith, well said, Sir John, very well said.” Henry IV Pt2, 3.2.96. Related to paronomasia and polyptoton.
Quotes including the Figure of Speech Adnominatio
Fie, this is hot weather, gentlemen
Read the QuoteFalstaff
Fie, this is hot weather, gentlemen. Have you
provided me here half a dozen sufficient men?
Shallow
Marry, have we, sir. Will you sit?
They sit at a table.
Falstaff
Let me see them, I beseech you.
Thy mother’s son! Like enough, and thy
father’s shadow.
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