subtype

[suhb-tahyp]

noun

1. a subordinate type.

2. a special type included within a more general type.

subtype

/ sʌbˈtɪpɪkəl, ˈsʌbˌtaɪp /

noun

1. a secondary or subordinate type or genre, esp a specific one considered as falling under a general classification

Other Word Forms

• subtypical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtype¹

First recorded in 1860–65; sub- + type

Example Sentences

The disease has several subtypes based on where the degeneration begins its advance through the brain.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It is one of 13 subtypes of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; the other 12 subtypes cause biochemical changes in connective tissue, have a known genetic cause, are rare, and can be severe.

Read more on Salon

"It is rare that you see 100% survival at 36 months for this subtype of breast cancer. We're incredibly excited about the potential of this new approach."

Read more on BBC

According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Virology, which studied the virus when it was still new to science, H5N9 forms as a reassortment of other subtypes of the virus.

Read more on Salon

When she first went to the hospital she tested positive for influenza A — but not the seasonal subtype.

Read more on Salon