silvestris
|sil-ves-tris|
/sɪlˈvɛstrɪs/
of the woods
Etymology
'silvestris' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'silvestris', where 'silva' meant 'wood, forest'.
'silvestris' was used in Late Latin and Medieval Latin and later adopted into scientific (New Latin) usage as a species epithet in binomial nomenclature; it entered modern biological usage unchanged as 'silvestris'.
Initially it meant 'of the woods' in general Latin usage; over time it has retained that sense but is now mainly encountered as a technical epithet in scientific names meaning 'woodland-associated'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
(Latin) 'of the woods, woodland' — used chiefly as a Latin adjective in biological names (species epithets) to indicate an organism associated with woods or forests.
The species epithet silvestris indicates the plant is typically found in woodland habitats.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/21 04:38