tautonym

[taw-tuh-nim]

noun Biology.

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

Origin of tautonym

1895–1900; < Greek tautṓnymos of the same name, equivalent to tauto- tauto- + -ōnymos named; see -onym

Related formstau·to·nym·ic, tau·ton·y·mous

[taw-ton-uh-muh s] /tɔˈtɒn ə məs/, adjectivetau·ton·y·my, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for tautonym

tautonym

noun

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

Derived Formstautonymic or tautonymous (tɔːˈtɒnɪməs), adjectivetautonymy, noun

Word Origin for tautonym

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

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