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

“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

Inspired by its resemblance to San, they chose "sanae" for the specific name as a tribute.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2025

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

It’s the same with faces; we can be tracked as we move around a store or shopping mall, even if that tracking isn’t tied to a specific name.

From The Verge • Jan. 22, 2020

There were dates stamped in different colors and fonts, but one specific name leapt out at him.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova