species

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[edit] English

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[edit] Etymology

From Latin speciēs (appearance; quality), from speciō (see) + -iēs suffix signifying abstract noun.

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
species

Plural
species

species (plural species)

  1. A group of plants or animals having similar appearance.
    This species of animal is unique to the area.
  2. (biology, taxonomy) A rank in the classification of organisms, below genus and above subspecies; a taxon at that rank
    • Darwin, On the Origin of Species:
      Hence, in determining whether a form should be ranked as a species or a variety, the opinion of naturalists having sound judgment and wide experience seems the only guide to follow.
    I cast the species of the Sun onto a sheet of paper through a telescope.
  3. (mineralogy) A mineral with a unique chemical formula whose crystals belong to a unique crystallographic system.
  4. (obsolete) The image of something cast on a surface, or reflected from a surface, or refracted through a lens or telescope; a reflection.
  5. (Roman Catholicism) Either of the two elements of the Eucharist after they have been consecrated, so named because they retain the image of the bread and wine before their transubstantiation into the body and blood of Christ.

[edit] Usage notes

  • specie is a separate word that means coin money, not the singular version of species.
  • (biology, taxonomy, rank in the classification of organisms): See species name.

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Related terms

[edit] See also

[edit] Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

[edit] References


[edit] Latin

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[edit] Etymology

From speciō (see) + -iēs suffix signifying abstract noun.

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

speciēs (genitive speciēī); f, fifth declension

  1. a seeing, view, look
  2. a spectacle, sight
  3. external appearance; general outline or shape
  4. semblance, pretence, pretext, outward show
  5. show, display
  6. (figuratively) vision, dream, apparition
  7. (figuratively) honor, reputation
  8. (figuratively) a kind, quality, species
  9. (law, later) a special case

[edit] Inflection

Number Singular Plural
nominative speciēs speciēs
genitive specieī speciērum
dative specieī speciēbus
accusative speciem speciēs
ablative speciē speciēbus
vocative speciēs speciēs

[edit] Descendants