canadensis
|ca-na-den-sis|
🇺🇸
/ˌkænəˈdɛnsɪs/
🇬🇧
/ˌkænəˈdɛn.sɪs/
from Canada
Etymology
'canadensis' originates from New Latin, specifically formed from 'Canada' + the Latin suffix '-ensis', where '-ensis' meant 'originating in' or 'from a place'.
'canadensis' was coined in New Latin as a taxonomic adjective (post-16th century). The element 'Canada' itself comes from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word 'kanata' meaning 'village' and entered European languages in the 16th century; combining 'Canada' + '-ensis' produced the modern scientific epithet 'canadensis'.
Initially it meant 'of or from Canada' (literally 'originating in Canada') and that original meaning has been retained in scientific nomenclature to the present day.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a specific epithet (Latin adjective) used in taxonomy to denote origin from Canada; used as a noun when referring to such epithets in general.
The epithet canadensis appears in many species names as a canadensis indicating geographic origin.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
used chiefly in biological (scientific) names to indicate that a species or taxon is from or associated with Canada ("of Canada").
In the binomial name Acer canadensis, the epithet canadensis indicates the tree is associated with Canada.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/07 15:41