Jump to content

specific name

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

[edit]
Examples

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

Noun

[edit]

specific name (plural specific names)

  1. (zoology) The second word in the scientific name of an animal species, following the name of the genus.
    Holonyms: species name (the binomial unit), binominal name, binomial name
    Coordinate terms: specific epithet (the equivalent in plants, fungi, and bacteria), species epithet; genus name; subspecific name

Usage notes

[edit]

This terminology applies only to formal names of animals. It should not be confused with the species name in its broad sense, which is two words in the binomial nomenclature system.