specific name

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Noun 1.1.1 Usage notes 1.1.2 See also

[edit] English

[edit] Noun

specific name (plural specific names)

1. (zoology) The second word in the scientific name of a species, following the name of the genus.

[edit] Usage notes

This terminology only to formal names of animals. Not to be confused with the species name, i.e the name of a species.

In the scientific name of the lion (Panthera leo) the specific name is leo, while the species name is Panthera leo.

[edit] See also

• specific epithet
• subspecific name