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taxonomy

[tak-son-uh-mee]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR taxonomy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural tax·on·o·mies.

the science or technique of classification.
a classification into ordered categories: a proposed taxonomy of educational objectives.
Biology. the science dealing with the description, identification, naming, and classification of organisms.

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. 2019

Related Words for taxonomy

designation, grade, analysis, arrangement, allocation, regulation, allotment, distribution, coordination, classification, glossary, locution, terminology, phraseology, codification, taxonomy, horticulture, ecology, anatomy, cytology

Examples from the Web for taxonomy

Contemporary Examples of taxonomy

  • Taxonomy was another major area in which Aristotle influenced the history of science.

    The Daily Beast logo

  • Beyond this taxonomy of options, the big question is this: What outcome are we seeking with any military intervention?

    The Daily Beast logo
    The Best Military Option for Libya

    Michael O'Hanlon

    March 18, 2011

  • In order to make some sense of these questions, I undertook a Taxonomy of American Ignorance and Misperceptions.

    The Daily Beast logo
    Ignorant America

    Tunku Varadarajan

    August 30, 2010

Historical Examples of taxonomy

British Dictionary definitions for taxonomy

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
the science or practice of classification
Derived Formstaxonomic (ˌtæksəˈnɒmɪk) or taxonomical, adjectivetaxonomically, adverbtaxonomist or taxonomer, noun

Word Origin for taxonomy

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 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).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
taxonomy in Medicine

taxonomy

[tăk-sŏn′ə-mē]

n.

The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships.
The science, laws, or principles of classification; systematics.
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.
taxonomy in Science

taxonomy

[tăk-sŏn′ə-mē]

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
taxonomy in Culture

taxonomy

[(tak-son-uh-mee)]

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

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.