specific epithet

American  

[spi-sif-ik ep-uh-thet] / spɪˈsɪf ɪk ˈɛp əˌθɛt /

noun

Botany, Zoology.

1. (inbinomial nomenclature ) the second part, always lowercased, of a plant or animal species’ scientific name: for example, the species Quercus alba is an oak tree, as all oaks belong to the genus Quercus , but it is the specific epithet alba that identifies the particular species, which is the white oak.

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Etymology

Origin of specific epithet

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Species most likely to go extinct sooner were endemic to islands, lacked the ability to fly, had larger bodies and sharply angled wings, and occupied ecologically specific niches, according to research published this month.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2024

They have been finely tuned by evolution over 60 million years to prevail in sometimes dramatically specific niches thanks to fabulous adaptations.

From Washington Post • Feb. 6, 2023

TikTok starts new users out on fail-proof content like cute pets, funny jokes, and tasty-looking recipes, and gradually finds more specific niches you enjoy as its algorithm gets a sense for your interests and inclinations.

From Slate • Dec. 7, 2020

One problem, according to several of the current and former YouTube employees, is that the A.I. tended to pigeonhole users into specific niches, recommending videos that were similar to ones they had already watched.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2019

Dozens of shared offices have sprung up all over Seattle; many cater to specific niches, offer tons of amenities and foster a sense of community.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2018