tautonym

[ taw-tuh-nim ]

nounBiology.

a scientific name in which the generic and the specific names are the same, as Chloris chloris (the greenfinch).: Compare autonym (def. 4).

Origin of tautonym

First recorded in 1895–1900; taut(o)- + -onym

Other words from tautonym

tau·to·nym·ic [taw-tuh-nim-ik], /ˌtɔ təˈnɪm ɪk/, tau·ton·y·mous [taw-ton-uh-muhs], /tɔˈtɒn ə məs/, adjective
tau·ton·y·my, noun

Words Nearby tautonym

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for tautonym

tautonym

/ (ˈtɔːtənɪm) /

noun

biology a taxonomic name in which the generic and specific components are the same, as in Rattus rattus (black rat)

Origin of tautonym

C20: from Greek tautonymos. See tauto-, -onym

Derived forms of tautonym

tautonymic or tautonymous (tɔːˈtɒnɪməs), adjective
tautonymy, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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