iconotype

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noun

An illustration of a biological specimen that serves as a holotype or lectotype (type specimen and it becomes the type illustration). It is not an illustration of a holotype or lectotype. In the 18th and early 19th century, iconotypes were designated as type specimens when preserved specimens were not available. In the 21st century, iconotypes are being used where a live animal is recorded and then released.

OriginAncient Greek εἰκών →
Scrabble 16
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Meanings

nouniconotype (plural iconotypes)

plural iconotypes

  1. biologyAn illustration of a biological specimen that serves as a holotype or lectotype (type specimen and it becomes the type illustration). It is not an illustration of a holotype or lectotype. In the 18th and early 19th century, iconotypes were designated as type specimens when preserved specimens were not available. In the 21st century, iconotypes are being used where a live animal is recorded and then released.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekεἰκών“figure, icon”
  2. Englishiconotype

From Ancient Greek εἰκών (eikṓn, “figure, icon”) + τύπος (túpos, “blow, impression”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Latin iconotypus
  • iconotypusillustration of a biological specimen that serves as the type
Cite this entry
APA

iconotype. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/iconotype

MLA

“iconotype.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/iconotype. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “iconotype,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/iconotype.

Source: iconotype on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.