SYNONYMS
Noun
synonyms
plural of synonym
Source: Wiktionary
SYNONYM
Syn"o*nym, n.; pl. Synonyms (). Etym: [F. synonyme, L. synonyma, pl.
of synonymum, Gr. Synonymous.]
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition