polynym

Noun

polynym (plural polynyms)

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).1890, The American Naturalist - Volume 24, page 695
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.1893 January to October, Condé B. Pallen, “The Primitive Creed of Man”, in The American Catholic Quarterly Review, volume 18, page 602
   • 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.1997, Knowledge Organization: KO. - Volume 24, page 17
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.1986, Āyvuk kōvai - Issue 1, Volume 18
   • 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.1988 -, Douglas Pratt, The Laser Video Disc Companion: A Guide to the Best (and Worst) Laser Video Discs
4. 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.1848, Alexander John Ellis, A Plea for Phoenetic Spelling: Or, The Necessity of Orthographic Reform
   • By our factious orthography, we argue ad hominem, that confusion is produced; polynyms are as numerous as homonyms.1858, The R.I. Schoolmaster - Volume 4, Issue 8, page 306