species

¹spe·cies

noun \ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz, -(ˌ)sēz\

plural species

Definition of SPECIES

1

a : kind, sort b : a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name; specifically : a logical division of a genus or more comprehensive class <confessing sins in species and in number> c : the human race : human beings —often used with the <survival of the species in the nuclear age> d (1) : a category of biological classification ranking immediately below the genus or subgenus, comprising related organisms or populations potentially capable of interbreeding, and being designated by a binomial that consists of the name of a genus followed by a Latin or latinized uncapitalized noun or adjective agreeing grammatically with the genus name (2) : an individual or kind belonging to a biological species e : a particular kind of atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, or ion

2

: the consecrated eucharistic elements of the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Eucharist

3

a : a mental image; also : a sensible object b : an object of thought correlative with a natural object

Examples of SPECIES

1. There are approximately 8,000 species of ants.
2. All European domestic cattle belong to the same species.
3. laws that protect endangered species

Origin of SPECIES

Middle English, from Latin, appearance, kind, species, from specere to look — more at spy

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SPECIES

Synonyms: bracket, category, classification, division, family, genus, grade, group, kind, league, order, rank(s), rubric, set, class, 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 Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt