(FACTS)
1/ In G1 the word "Combiner" = multiple robots who transformed into a single alt mode, e.g.: Blackout and Space Shot combine to form a jet.
2/ Until 2001 there was never an official term of sub-groups of Transformers that merged into a super robot, e.g.: Devastator, Superion etc., although those sub-groups were officially known as "Special Teams."
3/ Around 1994 the word "gestalt" had entered common fan lingo used to describe the combined form of the Special Teams and to avoid confusion and ambiguity with what Hasbro had officially defined as Combiners.
4/ In 2001 Hasbro used the word Combiners to define gestalts in RiD.
(/FACTS)

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(OPINION)
The term "combiner" is confusing and ambiguous because it has been officially used by Hasbro to describe two entirely different kinds of Transformers. To avoid confusion and ambiguity it is better to continue using the fan-term "gestalt" when referring to the combined Special Teams super-robots and the term "combiner" according to the definition established in Generation 1.
(/OPINION)