Transferred epithet

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A transferred epithet or hypallage is the transfer of an epithet from one noun to another. Thus an adjective or a predicative will grammatically modify one noun or become an adverb, while semantically modifying another.

Examples:

  • "restless night" The night was not restless, but the person who was awake through it was.
  • "happy morning" Mornings have not feelings, but the people who are awake through them do.
  • "The ploughman homeward plods his weary way" -Thomas Gray, the way is not weary, but the ploughman.