Synonyme

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Synonym \Syn"o*nym\ (s[i^]n"[-o]*n[i^]m), n.; pl. {Synonyms}
     (s[i^]n"[-o]*n[i^]mz). [F. synonyme, L. synonyma, pl. of
     synonymum, Gr. synw`nymon. See {Synonymous}.]
     1. 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}.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              His name has thus become, throughout all civilized
              countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy.
                                                    --Macaulay.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. 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.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     3. One of two or more words corresponding in meaning but of
        different languages; a heteronym. [Rare]
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Synonyme \Syn"o*nyme\, n.
     Same as {Synonym}.
     [1913 Webster]