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polynym

noun

Etymology

From poly- + -nym.

Definitions

  1. A name (or term) consisting of multiple words.

    • They agree upon one point, viz., the advantages, other things being equal, of mononyms (single word terms) over polynyms (terms consisting of two or more words).

  2. One of multiple names for the same thing.

    • Dyaus, the Bright- Shining-One-in-the-Heavens, or Maruna, the All-Surrounding, All- Enduring-One ; or Agni, the Everywhere-Present-One, became the polynyms for God.
    • The way to avoid term disputes is not to impose mononymy but, rather, to insist that the syn-tags for a given polynym (multinym) be clearly identified.
    • For once the former are known, the remaining two will be known too, since they are their opposites, and opposites are known by the same knowledge. In knowing what is a homonym, one will also know its opposite, I mean a polynym.

  3. A single word or name with multiple distinct (although possibly related) meanings.

    • A few dictionaries have treated all the meanings sub-meanings of a polynym under one entry.
    • You have to listen for homonyms (sea/see/C, tea/T, et cetera), look for polynyms (letter/letter, degree/degree), and be on the alert for the slightest multiplicity of meaning.
    • With respect to polynyms, the selection of the senses poses certain problems. In a general dictionary, the entry should be as comprehensive as possible, but this practice is not followed in those cited.
  4. ›+ 1 more definition

    1. A word that is spelled the same as another, but which has a different pronunciation and…

      A word that is spelled the same as another, but which has a different pronunciation and meaning; homograph.

      • ) We have also furnished a list of polynyms, partly from the same source, and partly from Worcester's Dictionary, in Table IX in the Appendix, but we fear that it is not very complete.
      • By our factious orthography, we argue ad hominem, that confusion is produced; polynyms are as numerous as homonyms.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for polynym. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA