Meanings
plural autonyms
- biologyAn infraspecific name in which the specific epithet is repeated.
Near-synonym: type variety
Synonyms: type variety
- The true name of a person or other entity, especially an author.
1 more example
As a general principle, the heading of the main entry of the book should be in the form in which the book itself is published; that is, if it is published under an autonym let the autonym be given, if under a pseudonym, then let the pseudonym be given, and if the book be anonymous, then let the fact be stated.
1900, Mr. Barnwell, “Cataloging Roundtable”, in Library Journal, page 157Synonyms: orthonym, alethonym · Antonyms: pseudonym, allonym, alias, pen name, nom de plume, nom de clavier, nom de Web, stage name
- A work published under the author's true name.
Antonyms: allonym
Synonyms & antonyms
nounAn infraspecific name in which the specific epithet is repeated.
nounA name used by a group or category of people to refer to themselves or their language, as opposed to a name given to them by other groups.
nounThe true name of a person or other entity, especially an author.
nounA work published under the author's true name.
Origin
- Proto-Indo-European*h₂ew
- Proto-Indo-European*tó-
- Proto-Hellenic*autós
- Proto-Indo-European*h₂ew
- Ancient Greekαὖ (aû)
- Ancient Greekτόν (tón)
- Ancient Greekαὐτός (autós)
- Ancient Greekαὐτο- (auto-)
- Englishauto-
- Ancient Greekὄνυμα (ónuma)
- Englishautonym
From auto- (“self”) + -onym (“name”).
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
autonym. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/autonym
“autonym.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/autonym. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “autonym,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/autonym.
Source: autonym on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.