nomen dubium

noun

no·​men du·​bi·​um ˈnō-mən-ˈdü-bē-əm How to pronounce nomen dubium (audio)
-ˈdyü-
plural nomina dubia ˈnä-mə-nə-ˈdü-bē-ə How to pronounce nomen dubium (audio)
-ˈdyü-,
ˈnō-
: a taxonomic name that cannot be assigned with certainty to any taxonomic group because the description is insufficient for identification and the original specimens no longer exist

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, doubtful name

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nomen dubium was in 1915

Dictionary Entries Near nomen dubium

Cite this Entry

“Nomen dubium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nomen%20dubium. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

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