tautonymic

Variant of tautonym

tautonym definition

tau·to·nym (tôt′ə nim)

noun

  1. a scientific name consisting of two terms, in which the generic name and specific name are the same (Ex.: Vulpes vulpes, the red fox): this kind of name is no longer used in botany, but is common in zoology
  2. a scientific name consisting of three terms, in which the name of the typical subdivision of the species repeats the specific name (Ex.: Lama glama glama, a domesticated llama)

Etymology: < taut(o)- + Gr onyma, name

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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