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View synonyms for species

species

[ spee-sheez, -seez ]

noun

, plural spe·cies.
  1. a class of individuals having some common characteristics or qualities; distinct sort or kind.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Ecclesiastical.
    1. the external form or appearance of the bread or the wine in the Eucharist.
    2. either of the Eucharistic elements.
  5. Obsolete. specie; coin.
  6. the species, the human race; humankind:

    a study of the species.



adjective

  1. 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.

species

/ ˈspiːʃiːz; ˈspiːʃɪˌiːz /

noun

  1. 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) sp
    2. the animals of such a group
    3. any group of related animals or plants not necessarily of this taxonomic rank
  2. modifier denoting a plant that is a natural member of a species rather than a hybrid or cultivar

    a species clematis

  3. logic a group of objects or individuals, all sharing at least one common attribute, that forms a subdivision of a genus
  4. a kind, sort, or variety

    a species of treachery

  5. RC Church the outward form of the bread and wine in the Eucharist
  6. obsolete.
    an outward appearance or form
  7. obsolete.
    specie
“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


species

/ spēshēz,spēsēz /

  1. 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.
  2. See Table at taxonomy


species

  1. 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 .)


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Notes

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

  • super·species noun plural superspecies
  • under·species noun plural underspecies
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Word History and Origins

Origin of species1

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

Origin of species1

C16: from Latin: appearance, from specere to look
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Idioms and Phrases

see endangered species .
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Example Sentences

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.

Further, changing the genetic makeup of a species also has ethical consequences that would need to be weighed by those who might be affected, from farmers to conservationists.

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.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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

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specie pointspeciesism