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

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Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with GENUS

menace, tenace, tennis, Venice