In biologic nomenclature, a term used to denote one of two or more names for the same species or taxonomic group (taxon).
- objective synonyms different names for the same organism, based on one and the same nomenclatural type, as when a species is transferred from one genus to another ( e.g., the transfer of Diplococcus pneumoniae to the genus Streptococcus as Streptococcus pneumoniae), in contrast to subjective synonyms.
- senior s. the earliest published of two or more available names for the same organism, usually used as the correct name (law of priority).
- subjective synonyms different names, based on different nomenclatural types, for organisms that were originally regarded as different but were later considered to be identical, or nearly so, as a matter of personal opinion, in contrast to objective synonyms.
* * *
syn·onym 'sin-ə-.nim n a taxonomic name rejected as being incorrectly applied or incorrect in form
Medical dictionary. 2011.