tautonym

[taw-tuh-nim]

noun

Biology.

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

tautonym

/ tɔːˈtɒnɪməs, ˈtɔːtənɪm /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• tautonymy noun
• tautonymic adjective
• tautonymous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tautonym¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tautonym¹

C20: from Greek tautonymos. See _tauto- , _-onym

Example Sentences

Others have what's called a tautonym, a name in which the same word is used for both species and genus.

Read more on National Geographic