Crossword clues for synonyms
synonyms
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Synonym \Syn"o*nym\ (s[i^]n"[-o]*n[i^]m), n.; pl. Synonyms (s[i^]n"[-o]*n[i^]mz). [F. synonyme, L. synonyma, pl. of synonymum, Gr. synw`nymon. See Synonymous.]
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One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under Synonymous. [Written also synonyme.]
All languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society.
--De Quincey.His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy.
--Macaulay.In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished.
--G. P. Marsh. An incorrect or incorrectly applied scientific name, as a new name applied to a species or genus already properly named, or a specific name preoccupied by that of another species of the same genus; -- so used in the system of nomenclature (which see) in which the correct scientific names of certain natural groups (usually genera, species, and subspecies) are regarded as determined by priority.
One of two or more words corresponding in meaning but of different languages; a heteronym. [Rare]
Wiktionary
n. (plural of synonym English)
Wikipedia
- Redirect Synonym
Usage examples of "synonyms".
You suggested I find polite synonyms for a certain word that offended you.
They also have a language full of synonyms that seem to mean exactly the same things, but only one of which is appropriate at any given time.
If you tried to group the synonyms logically, you could help guard against transcription errors: if A-G-A, A-G-C, and A-G-G all meant the same thing, and you could only clearly read the first two letters, you’d still have a good shot at guessing what the word meant even without knowing the third letter.
And if there were three synonyms to specify each amino acid, one might look at the code and say, yup, someone had carefully thought this out.
But two amino acids—leucine and serine—are specified by six synonyms each, and others by four, three, two, or even just one: poor tryptophan is specified only by the word T-G-G.