antinomasia

Meaning

The substitution of a proper name for a particular quality or title, or conversely, the use of a descriptive phrase or epithet in place of a proper name.

Examples

• The poet used antinomasia by referring to the city as 'the Big Apple' throughout his latest collection.
• By calling the legendary basketball player 'His Airness,' the commentator employed a classic form of antinomasia.