{ Syn*od"ic (?), Syn*od"ic*al (?), } a. [L. synodicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F.
synodique.] 1. (Eccl.) Of or pertaining to a synod; transacted in, or
authorized by, a synod; as, synodical proceedings or forms. "A
synodical epistle." Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. (Astron.) Pertaining to conjunction, especially to the period
between two successive conjunctions; extending from one conjunction, as
of the moon or a planet with the sun, to the next; as, a synodical
month (see Lunar month, under Month); the synodical revolution of the
moon or a planet.
Syn*od"ic*al*ly, adv. In a synodical manner; in a synod; by the
authority of a synod. "Synodically agreed upon." R. Nelson.
Syn"od*ist (?), n. An adherent to a synod.
These synodists thought fit in Latin as yet to veil their decrees
from vulgar eyes.
Fuller.
Syn*œ"cious (?), a. [Pref. syn- + Gr. &?; house.] (Bot.) Having
stamens and pistil in the same head, or, in mosses, having antheridia
and archegonia on the same receptacle.
Syn*om"o*cy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to swear with or together; sy`n
with + &?; to swear.] Sworn brotherhood; a society in ancient Greece
nearly resembling a modern political club.
Syn"o*nym (sn"*nm), n.; pl. Synonyms (- nmz). [F. synonyme, L.
synonyma, pl. of synonymum, Gr. synw`nymon. See Synonymous.] 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.
||Syn*on"y*ma (sn*n"*m), n. pl. [L.] Synonyms. [Obs.] Fuller.