Homonym
homonym (noun, pl. homonyms; nomenclature term) – in a general sense any term that is written or pronounced the same way as another one, but has a different meaning depending on its context; e. g., the English word "lie" can have different meanings; as a noun it refers to "something that is not true", as a verb it refers to "be in a lateral position". A taxonomic homonym is a taxon name with identical spelling but described on separate occasions, i. e., identical names that were described independently in separate publications by different authors. The most common case is a heterotypic homonym, i. e., a taxon name with identical spelling but based on different types. Generally two kinds of heterotypic homonyms can be distinguished; the earlier homonym has taxonomic priority over a later homonym, which is illegitimate (see nom. illegit.). Less common are homotypic homonyms, where one and the same taxon name (i. e., with identical or almost identical spelling) was introduced twice and based on the same type. In this case the earliest legitimate orthographic variant has priority. If the spelling of homotypic synonyms is identical the names are strictly not different apart from their author citations and thus their publication dates.
This page is part of the LIAS Glossary. It is closely interlinked with the other LIAS projects: LIAS • LIAS light • LIAS names • LIAS gtm. See also Cooperating Websites
Many pages in the LIAS Glossary is in need of further revisions. Please contribute. Criticism as well as collaboration is welcome!
