specific name

American  

[spi-sif-ik neym] / spɪˈsɪf ɪk ˈneɪm /

noun

Zoology.

1. (inbinomial nomenclature ) the second part, always lowercased, of an animal species’ scientific name, but not applicable to plant species: for example, the species Sciurus carolinensis is a squirrel, as all squirrels belong to the genus Sciurus , but it is the specific name carolinensis that identifies the particular species, which is the eastern gray squirrel.

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Etymology

Origin of specific name

First recorded in 1750–55

Example Sentences

"The specific name lii honors Li Er, the ancient Chinese philosopher better known as Laozi," said the research team, led by Bo Cai.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

“When the concentration gets very high, there is a lot more scrutiny on that specific name or sector,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

With Italy known for its prosecco, Spain for cava and France for champagne, he believes Wales' "deliciously diverse" sparkling wine could benefit from a widely known specific name.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2022

The source of Angels star Mike Trout’s back injury has a more specific name: costovertebral dysfunction, the team said Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2022

Most of the doctors at that first meeting felt they did not know enough about the illness to give it a specific name.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy