a class of individuals having some common characteristics or qualities; distinct sort or kind.
2.
Biology. the major subdivision of a genus or subgenus, regarded as the basic category of biological classification, composed of related individuals that resemble one another, are able to breed among themselves, but are not able to breed with members of another species.
3.
Logic.
a.
one of the classes of things included with other classes in a genus.
b.
the set of things within one of these classes.
4.
Ecclesiastical.
a.
the external form or appearance of the bread or the wine in the Eucharist.
b.
either of the Eucharistic elements.
5.
Obsolete. specie; coin.
6.
the species, the human race; mankind: a study of the species.
–adjective
7.
Horticulture. pertaining to a plant that is a representative member of a species, one that is not a hybrid or variety: a species rose; a species gladiolus.
[Origin: 1545–55; < L speciés appearance, form, sort, kind, equiv. to spec(ere) to look, regard + -iés abstract n. suffix]
A fundamental category of taxonomic classification, ranking below a genus or subgenus and consisting of related organisms capable of interbreeding. See Table at taxonomy.
An organism belonging to such a category, represented in binomial nomenclature by an uncapitalized Latin adjective or noun following a capitalized genus name, as in Ananas comosus, the pineapple, and Equus caballus, the horse.
A kind, variety, or type: "No species of performing artist is as self-critical as a dancer"(Susan Sontag).
The human race; humankind.
The outward appearance or form of the Eucharistic elements that is retained after their consecration.
Either of the consecrated elements of the Eucharist.
An outward form or appearance.
Specie.
Logic A class of individuals or objects grouped by virtue of their common attributes and assigned a common name; a division subordinate to a genus.
A kind, variety, or type: "No species of performing artist is as self-critical as a dancer"(Susan Sontag).
The human race; humankind.
The outward appearance or form of the Eucharistic elements that is retained after their consecration.
Either of the consecrated elements of the Eucharist.
An outward form or appearance.
Specie.
Roman Catholic Church
The outward appearance or form of the Eucharistic elements that is retained after their consecration.
Either of the consecrated elements of the Eucharist.
An outward form or appearance.
Specie.
Obsolete
An outward form or appearance.
Specie.
[Middle English, logical classification, from Latin speciēs, a seeing, kind, form; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]
1551, a classification in logic, from L. species "kind, sort," originally "appearance, sight, a seeing," related to specere "to look at, to see, behold," from PIE *spek- (see scope (1)). Biological sense is from 1608. Endangered species first attested 1964. Speciesism "discrimination against certain animals based on assumption of human superiority" first attested 1975 in Richard D. Ryder's "Victims of Science."
speciesAudio Help (spē'shēz, spē'sēz) Pronunciation Key
A group of organisms having many characteristics in common and ranking below a genus. Organisms that reproduce sexually and belong to the same species interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Species names are usually written lower case and in italics, as rex in Tyrannosaurus rex. See Table at taxonomy.
A group of closely related and interbreeding living things; the smallest standard unit of biological classification. Species can be divided into varieties, races, breeds, or subspecies. Red pines, sugar maples, cats, dogs, chimpanzees, and people are species; Siamese cats and beagles are varieties, not species. (SeeLinnean classification.)
Note: The term can be used to refer to any group of related things: “This species of novel has become quite popular in recent years.”
A fundamental
category of taxonomic classification, ranking below a genus or subgenus and consisting of related organisms capable of interbreeding.
An organism belonging to such a category,
represented in binomial nomenclature by an uncapitalized Latin adjective or noun following a capitalized genus name, as in the bacterium Escherichia coli.
A class of
pharmaceutical preparations consisting of a mixture of dried plants in sufficiently fine division to be used in making boiled extracts or infusions.
A specific type of atomic
nucleus, atom, ion, or molecule.
Main Entry: spe·cies Pronunciation: 'spE-(")shEz, -(")sEz Function: noun Inflected Form: pluralspecies 1 a: a category
of biological classification ranking immediately below the genus or subgenus, comprising related organisms or populations potentially capable of interbreeding, and being designated by a binomial that
consists of the name of the genus followed by a Latin or latinized uncapitalized noun or adjective agreeing grammatically with the genus name b: an individual or kind belonging to a
biological species 2: a particular kind of atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, or ion <production of DNA damage by active oxygen species>
Es*pe"cial\, a. [OF. especial, F. sp['e]cial, L. specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality. See Species, and cf. Special.] Distinguished among others of the same class or kind; special; concerning a species or a single object; principal; particular; as, in an especial manner or degree. Syn: Peculiar; special; particular; uncommon; chief. See Peculiar.
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Audio Help [spee-sheez, -seez] Pronunciation Key noun, plural -cies, adjective 
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