/ ˈhetərənɪm; NAmE / noun ( linguistics )
1.
one of two or more words that have the same spelling but different meanings and pronunciation, for example 'tear' meaning 'rip' and 'tear' meaning 'liquid from the eye'
2.
one of two or more words that refer to the same thing, for example 'lift' and 'elevator'
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: from hetero- + -onym .