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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.

Adnominatio is an example of:
Word Play

Fie, this is hot weather, gentlemen

Read the Quote

Falstaff
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.
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 3
Scene 2
Line 96

Source Type:

Spoken by:
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Figures of Speech:
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