genus

/ˈdʒiːnəs/

UK: /ˈdʒɛnəs/

genus

English Noun Top 41,247
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Definition

A category in the classification of organisms, ranking below family (Lat. familia) and above species.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *ǵénh₁os Latin genusbor. English genus Borrowed from Latin genus (“birth, origin, a race, sort, kind”) from the root gen- in Latin gignō (“to beget, produce”). Doublet of gender and genre, further related to kin.

Example Sentences

  • "All magnolias belong to the genus Magnolia."
  • "Other species of the genus Bos are often called cattle or wild cattle."
  • "There are only two genera and species of seadragons."
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