tautonym

[ taw-tuh-nim ]

nounBiology.
  1. 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

1
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

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British Dictionary definitions for tautonym

tautonym

/ (ˈtɔːtənɪm) /


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

Origin of tautonym

1
C20: from Greek tautonymos. See tauto-, -onym

Derived forms of tautonym

  • tautonymic or tautonymous (tɔːˈtɒnɪməs), adjective
  • tautonymy, noun

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