Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

taxonomy

[tak-son-uh-mee]
See more synonyms for taxonomy on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural tax·on·o·mies.
  1. the science or technique of classification.
  2. a classification into ordered categories: a proposed taxonomy of educational objectives.
  3. Biology. the science dealing with the description, identification, naming, and classification of organisms.
Show More

Origin of taxonomy

First recorded in 1805–15, taxonomy is from the French word taxonomie. See taxo-, -nomy
Related formstax·o·nom·ic [tak-suh-nom-ik] /ˌtæk səˈnɒm ɪk/, tax·o·nom·i·cal, adjectivetax·o·nom·i·cal·ly, adverbtax·on·o·mist, tax·on·o·mer, nounnon·tax·o·nom·ic, adjectivenon·tax·o·nom·i·cal, adjectivenon·tax·o·nom·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for taxonomist

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for taxonomist

taxonomy

noun
    1. the branch of biology concerned with the classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of structure, origin, etc
    2. the practice of arranging organisms in this way
  2. the science or practice of classification
Show More
Derived Formstaxonomic (ˌtæksəˈnɒmɪk) or taxonomical, adjectivetaxonomically, adverbtaxonomist or taxonomer, noun

Word Origin

C19: from French taxonomie, from Greek taxis order + -nomy
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 taxonomist

taxonomy

n.

1828, from French taxonomie (1813), introduced by Linnæus and coined irregularly from Greek taxis "arrangement" (see taxidermy) + -nomia "method," from -nomos "managing," from nemein "manage" (see numismatics).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
taxonomist in Medicine

taxonomy

(tăk-sŏn′ə-mē)
n.
  1. The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships.
  2. The science, laws, or principles of classification; systematics.
Show More
Related formstax′o•nom′ic (-sə-nō′ĭk) null adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
taxonomist in Science

taxonomy

[tăk-sŏn′ə-mē]
  1. The scientific classification of organisms into specially named groups based either on shared characteristics or on evolutionary relationships as inferred from the fossil record or established by genetic analysis.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
taxonomist in Culture

taxonomy

[(tak-son-uh-mee)]

The classification of living things. (See Linnean classification.)

Show More
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.