specific name

English

Examples

In the scientific name of the lion (Panthera leo) the specific name is leo, while the species name is Panthera leo.

Noun

specific name (plural specific names)

  1. (zoology) The second word in the scientific name of an animal species, following the name of the genus.
    Holonyms: species name (the binomial unit), binominal name, binomial name
    Coordinate terms: specific epithet (the equivalent in plants, fungi, and bacteria), species epithet; genus name; subspecific name

Usage notes

This terminology applies only to formal names of animals. It should not be confused with the species name in its broad sense, which is two words in the binomial nomenclature system.

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