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species

This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.


noun, plural spe·cies.

a class of individuals having some common characteristics or qualities; distinct sort or kind.

Biology. the major subdivision of a genus or subgenus, regarded as the basic category of biological classification, composed of related individuals that resemble one another, are able to breed among themselves, but are not able to breed with members of another species.

Logic.

  1. one of the classes of things included with other classes in a genus.
  2. the set of things within one of these classes.

Ecclesiastical.

  1. the external form or appearance of the bread or the wine in the Eucharist.
  2. either of the Eucharistic elements.

Obsolete. specie; coin.

the species, the human race; humankind: a study of the species.

adjective

Horticulture. pertaining to a plant that is a representative member of a species, one that is not a hybrid or variety: a species rose; a species gladiolus.

QUIZ

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We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Which of the following words describes "sky blue"?

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Origin of species

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin speciēs "appearance, form, sort, kind," equivalent to spec(ere) "to look, regard" + -iēs abstract noun suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM species

su·per·spe·cies, noun, plural su·per·spe·cies. un·der·spe·cies, noun, plural un·der·spe·cies.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH species

1. species , specious 2. genus, species

Words nearby species

specialty, speciate, speciation, specie, specie point, species, speciesism, species-specific, species-specific antigen, specif., specifiable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use species in a sentence

  • This complicates management of this species, as the same person who recognizes the commercial and ecological importance of sima may view the pestrushka as a common species that can be exploited.

  • They came up with a measure for hurricane activity experienced by each species based on how many times it was hit by these severe storms.

  • For a species that went extinct, you'd expect a sort of decline at some point, and we don't see that.

  • It is an unparalleled way for a species to enhance their evolutionary experimentation—their search engine—by using functional gene variants, just re-mixed into different genomes.

  • The usual answer is that, by reshuffling genes with every generation, sex creates new genetic combinations, detaches beneficial mutations from harmful ones and gives a species a degree of evolutionary flexibility.

  • So, why would a species like the banded mongoose favor breeding between relatives?

  • In Greek mythology, the species became associated with numerous gods.

  • Mistletoes infections can kill individual trees and stands of trees, and most mistletoe species attack specific tree species.

  • Instead, most of the suffering species ate insects on the forest floor.

  • Mistletoes on mesquite trees in central Mexico have been linked to a greater abundance of tropical bird species.

  • Fourteen genera, representing about 19 species, of Mallophaga are reported for 20 different species of bird hosts.

  • This is a feature by means of which it is always possible to distinguish the Great Horsetail from any other species.

  • Most of my observations are in keeping with Skutch's detailed report of the species in Central America.

  • Where the outside conditions are not very favourable, practically all the British species may be grown with ease under glass.

  • Whatever the species, it is well to imitate the natural conditions as much as possible in the way of soil.

British Dictionary definitions for species

species

/ (ˈspiːʃiːz, Latin ˈspiːʃɪˌiːz) /


noun plural -cies

biology

  1. any of the taxonomic groups into which a genus is divided, the members of which are capable of interbreeding: often containing subspecies, varieties, or races. A species is designated in italics by the genus name followed by the specific name, for example Felis domesticus (the domestic cat) Abbreviation: sp
  2. the animals of such a group
  3. any group of related animals or plants not necessarily of this taxonomic rank

(modifier) denoting a plant that is a natural member of a species rather than a hybrid or cultivar a species clematis

logic a group of objects or individuals, all sharing at least one common attribute, that forms a subdivision of a genus

a kind, sort, or variety a species of treachery

mainly RC Church the outward form of the bread and wine in the Eucharist

obsolete an outward appearance or form

Word Origin for species

C16: from Latin: appearance, from specere to look

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for species


n. pl. species

A fundamental category of taxonomic classification, ranking below a genus or subgenus and consisting of related organisms capable of interbreeding.

An organism belonging to such a category, represented in binomial nomenclature by an uncapitalized Latin adjective or noun following a capitalized genus name, as in the bacterium Escherichia coli.

A class of pharmaceutical preparations consisting of a mixture of dried plants in sufficiently fine division to be used in making boiled extracts or infusions.

A specific type of atomic nucleus, atom, ion, or molecule.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for species


A group of organisms having many characteristics in common and ranking below a genus. Organisms that reproduce sexually and belong to the same species interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Species names are usually written lower case and in italics, as rex in Tyrannosaurus rex. See Table at taxonomy.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for species

species

[ (spee-sheez, spee-seez) ]


A group of closely related and interbreeding living things; the smallest standard unit of biological classification. Species can be divided into varieties, races, breeds, or subspecies. Red pines, sugar maples, cats, dogs, chimpanzees, and people are species; Siamese cats and beagles are varieties, not species. (See Linnean classification.)

notes for species

The term can be used to refer to any group of related things: "This species of novel has become quite popular in recent years."

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with species

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Biology Sorting Items Into Groups Whats a Word

Source: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/species