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). Compare autonym ( def 4 ).

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)

Derived Forms

• tauˈtonymy, noun
• ˌtautoˈnymic, adjective

Other Words From

• tau·to·nym·ic [taw-t, uh, -, nim, -ik], tau·ton·y·mous [taw-, ton, -, uh, -m, uh, s], adjective
• tau·ton·y·my noun

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.

From National Geographic