Main Entry: sub·spe·cies

Pronunciation: \ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz, -sēz\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin

Date: 1699

: a subdivision of a species: as a : a category in biological classification that ranks immediately below a species and designates a population of a particular geographic region genetically distinguishable from other such populations of the same species and capable of interbreeding successfully with them where its range overlaps theirs b : a named subdivision (as a race or variety) of a taxonomic species c : subgroup 1 <a political subspecies>

— sub·spe·cif·ic \ˌsəb-spi-ˈsi-fik\ adjective