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Synonym - 6 dictionary results
syn⋅o⋅nym
[sin-uh-nim] 
–noun
| 1. | a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another in the language, as joyful, elated, glad. |
| 2. | a word or expression accepted as another name for something, as Arcadia for pastoral simplicity; metonym. |
| 3. | Biology. one of two or more scientific names applied to a single taxon. |
Origin:
1400–50; < L synōnymum < Gk syn
nymon, n. use of neut. of synnymos synonymous; r. ME sinonyme < MF < L, as above
1400–50; < L synōnymum < Gk syn
nymon, n. use of neut. of synnymos synonymous; r. ME sinonyme < MF < L, as aboveRelated forms:
syn⋅o⋅nym⋅ic, syn⋅o⋅nym⋅i⋅cal, adjective
syn⋅o⋅nym⋅i⋅ty [sin-uh-nim-i-tee] , noun
[sin-uh-nim-i-tee] , noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To Synonym
| syn·o·nym (sĭn'ə-nĭm') n.
[Middle English sinonyme, from Old French synonyme, from Latin synōnymum, from Greek sunōnumon, from neuter of sunōnumos, synonymous; see synonymous.] syn'o·nym'ic, syn'o·nym'i·cal adj., syn'o·nym'i·ty n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Synonym
Syn"o*nym\, n. 1. An incorrect or incorrectly applied scientific name, as a new name applied to a species or genus already properly named, or a specific name preoccupied by that of another species of the same genus; -- so used in the system of nomenclature (which see) in which the correct scientific names of certain natural groups (usually genera, species, and subspecies) are regarded as determined by priority. 2. One of two or more words corresponding in meaning but of different languages; a heteronym. [Rare]Synonym
Syn"o*nym\ (s[i^]n"[-o]*n[i^]m), n.; pl. Synonyms (-n[i^]mz). [F. synonyme, L. synonyma, pl. of synonymum, Gr. synw`nymon. See Synonymous.] One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under Synonymous. [Written also synonyme.] All languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society. --De Quincey. His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy. --Macaulay. In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished. --G. P. Marsh.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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synonym
1432 (but rare before 18c.), from L. synonymum, from Gk. synonymon "word having the same sense as another," noun use of neut. of synonymos "having the same name as, synonymous," from syn- "together, same" + onyma, Aeolic dialectal form of onoma "name" (see name). Synonymous is attested from 1610.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: syn·onym
Pronunciation: 'sin-&-"nim
Function: noun
: a taxonomic name rejected as being incorrectly applied or incorrect in form —syn·onym·i·ty /"sin-&-'nim-&t-E/ noun plural -ties
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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