paratype

P3A1R1A1T1Y4P3E1

noun

A physical specimen (or an illustration) that is not the holotype but is considered the same taxon by the author of the holotype.

UncommonScrabble 15

Meanings

nounparatype (plural paratypes)

plural paratypes

  1. biologyA physical specimen (or an illustration) that is not the holotype but is considered the same taxon by the author of the holotype.

    The paratype of this species proves to have an ovipositor very different from that of the holotype (see dissimilis, new species).

    1942, Alan Stone, “The Fruitflies of the Genus Anastrepha”, in Miscellaneous Publication, US Department of Agriculture, 439, page 44
    2 more examples

    1965, James A. G. Rehn, A New Genus of Symbiotic Cockroach from Southwest Africa (Orthoptera; Blattaria; Oxyhaloinae), Notulae Naturae, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, page 6, An adult female paratype will be sent to the Transvaal Museum (at Dr. Kohls' request) and a similar one to the United States National Museum. The remainder are in the collection of this Academy. All were taken with the type and allotype.

    In addition to the holotype, other specimens believed to be of the same species by the author are designated as paratypes. If a holotype is not available, a paratype can be examined to confirm identifications.

    2008, Charles W. Heckman, Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Odonata - Zygoptera, Springer, page 3

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*per-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*preh₂-
  3. Proto-Hellenic*pərai
  4. Ancient Greekπᾰρᾰ́ (părắ)
  5. Ancient Greekπᾰρᾰ- (pără-)
  6. Englishpara-
  7. Englishtype
  8. Englishparatype

From para- + type.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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