species

[spee-sheez, -seez]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR species ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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

Ecclesiastical.

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

Obsolete. specie; coin.

the species, the human race; mankind: 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.

Origin of species

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

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

Can be confusedgenus speciesspecie species specious

specie

[spee-shee, -see]

noun

coined money; coin.

Idioms

in specie,

in the same kind.
(of money) in coin.
in a similar manner; in kind: Such treachery should be repaid in specie.
Law.in the identical shape, form, etc., as specified.

Origin of specie

1545–55; < Latin (in) speciē (in) kind; see species

Can be confusedspecie species specious

specie

[spee-shee, -see]

noun Nonstandard.

species.

Origin of specie

by back formation, construing species as plural noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for species

sort, category, kind, group, description, division, breed, number, collection, lot, type, order, nature, stripe, likes

Examples from the Web for species

Contemporary Examples of species

So, why would a species like the banded mongoose favor breeding between relatives?
Mongooses, Meerkats, and Ants, Oh My! Why Some Animals Keep Mating All in the Family
Helen Thompson
December 29, 2014
In Greek mythology, the species became associated with numerous gods.
The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity
William O’Connor
December 27, 2014
Your existence contributes to over-population, climate change, and species extinction.
Keep Christmas Commercialized!
P. J. O’Rourke
December 6, 2014
Five times during that span, the majority of species on the planet vanished in a short interval of time.
Heed the Warnings: Why We’re on the Brink of Mass Extinction
Sean B. Carroll
November 30, 2014
This species of penguin was showered with positive coverage throughout the 20th century by a supposedly vigilant press.
Lovable ‘Madagascar’ Penguins Are Known to Rape and Torture in Real Life
Asawin Suebsaeng
November 26, 2014

Historical Examples of species

It is to me more what you call a 'beast-garden,' to include all species of fauna.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Handel, in one species of composition, wrote down to the singers of his time.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
Every species of mere bodily labor is the prerogative of these Irish.
Sketches from Memory
Nathaniel Hawthorne
In short, there were creatures in which were combined the limbs of every species of animals.
The Babylonian Legends of the Creation
British Museum
He could not but observe that Mrs. Wharton did not like him the less for this species of sacrifice.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth

British Dictionary definitions for species

species

noun plural -cies

biology

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
the animals of such a group
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 cultivara 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 varietya species of treachery

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

obsolete an outward appearance or form

obsolete specie

Word Origin for species

C16: from Latin: appearance, from specere to look

specie

noun

coin money, as distinguished from bullion or paper money

in specie

(of money) in coin
in kind
lawin the actual form specified

Word Origin for specie

C16: from the Latin phrase in speciē in kind

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

Word Origin and History for species

1550s, a classification in logic, from Latin species "kind, sort," originally "appearance, sight, a seeing," related to specere "to look at, to see, behold," from PIE *spek- (see scope (n.1)). Biological sense is from c.1600. Endangered species first attested 1964.

specie

1610s, "coin, money in the form of coins" (as opposed to paper money or bullion), from phrase in specie "in the real or actual form" (1550s), from Latin in specie "in kind," ablative of species "kind, form, sort" (see species).

species in Medicine

species

[spē′shēz, -sēz]

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.

species in Science

species

[spē′shēz, spē′sēz]

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.

species in Culture

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.)

Note

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

Idioms and Phrases with species

species

see endangered species.