synonymy

[ si-non-uh-mee ]

noun

, plural syn·on·y·mies

1. the quality of being synonymous; equivalence in meaning.
2. the study of synonyms.
3. a set, list, or system of synonyms.
4. Biology. a list of the scientific names, with explanatory matter and location of type or types, for a particular taxonomic group.

synonymy

/ sɪˈnɒnɪmɪ /

noun

1. the study of synonyms
2. the character of being synonymous; equivalence
3. a list or collection of synonyms, esp one in which their meanings are discriminated
4. biology a collection of the synonyms of a species or group

Word History and Origins

Origin of synonymy¹

1600–10; < Late Latin synōnymia < Greek synōnymía. See synonymous, -y ³

Example Sentences

The resurrection of the Cape Verde shearwater from synonymy with Cory’s shearwater means that there are now two Atlantic Calonectris species.

From Scientific American

It is not provided with a glossary, but contains an elaborate and most valuable analysis of the diction, synonymy and syntactical features of the poem.

From Project Gutenberg

The species are very variously understood by European botanists, and are much confused, as well as the synonymy.

From Project Gutenberg

The three testable predictions or “hurdles” required to support the synonymy of triceratops and torosaurus are indeed met if you include all the skulls available in museum collections.

From New York Times

Towards the close of this work Darwin became very wearied of it, especially of the synonymy.

From Project Gutenberg