specific name
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Noun
specific name (plural specific names)
- (zoology) The second word in the scientific name of a species, following the name of the genus.
[edit] Usage notes
This terminology applies only to formal names of animals. It should not be confused with the species name which is actually two words in the binomial nomenclature system:
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- In the scientific name of the lion (Panthera leo) the specific name is leo, while the species name is Panthera leo.
