Basionym or basyonym in the scientific name of organisms, means the 'original name' on which a new name is based. The term original combination is used in the same way in zoology. Bacteriology uses a similar term, basonym, spelled without an i. The word comes from Greek word roots that mean base and name.

Basionym or basyonym in the scientific name of organisms, means the 'original name' on which a new name is based. The term original combination is used in the same way in zoology. Bacteriology uses a similar term, basonym, spelled without an i. The word comes from Greek word roots that mean base and name.