genus

ge·nus

noun \ˈjē-nəs, ˈje-\

plural gen·era \ˈje-nə-rə\ also ge·nus·es

Definition of GENUS

1

: a class, kind, or group marked by common characteristics or by one common characteristic; specifically : a category of biological classification ranking between the family and the species, comprising structurally or phylogenetically related species or an isolated species exhibiting unusual differentiation, and being designated by a Latin or latinized capitalized singular noun

2

: a class of objects divided into several subordinate species

Examples of GENUS

1. <the crime novel, written from the criminal's perspective, is sometimes seen as a particular species of the detective story genus>

Origin of GENUS

Latin gener-, genus birth, race, kind — more at kin

First Known Use: 1551

Related to GENUS

Synonyms

bracket, category, classification, division, family, class, grade, group, kind, league, order, rank(s), rubric, set, species, tier, type

Related Words

description, feather, ilk, kidney, like, manner, nature, sort; branch, section, speciality, specialty, subclass, subdivision, subgroup, subspecies, variety; breed, race; generation; heading, label, title

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with GENUS

menace, tenace, tennis, Venice

ge·nus

noun \ˈjē-nəs, ˈjen-əs\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; gen·era \ˈjen-ə-rə\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of GENUS

: a class, kind, or group marked by common characteristics or by one common characteristic; specifically : a category of biological classification ranking between the family and the species, comprising structurally or phylogenetically related species or an isolated species exhibiting unusual differentiation, and designated by a Latin or latinized capitalized singular noun

genus

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Biological classification. It ranks below family and above species, consisting of structurally or phylogenetically (see phylogenetic tree) related species or a single species exhibiting unusual differences. For example, the species of roses collectively form the genus Rosa and those of horses, donkeys, and zebras form the genus Equus. The genus name, capitalized and usually italicized, is the first word of a scientific name in the system of binomial nomenclature.