subspecific epithet

noun

The third word in the scientific name of a subspecies, following the name of the species, but only in names of bacteria, plants and fungi. It is not used in formal names of animals.

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Meanings

nounsubspecific epithet (plural subspecific epithets)

plural subspecific epithets

  1. biologyThe third word in the scientific name of a subspecies, following the name of the species, but only in names of bacteria, plants and fungi. It is not used in formal names of animals.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
infraspecific epithet
Cite this entry
APA

subspecific epithet. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subspecific%20epithet

MLA

“subspecific epithet.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subspecific%20epithet. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “subspecific epithet,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subspecific%20epithet.

Source: subspecific epithet on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.