species-inclusive
|spe-cies-in-clu-sive|
/ˈspiːʃiːz ɪnˈkluːsɪv/
including multiple species
Etymology
'species-inclusive' is a Modern English compound formed from the noun 'species' and the adjective 'inclusive'. 'species' ultimately comes from Latin 'species' meaning 'appearance, kind', and 'inclusive' comes from Latin 'inclusivus', from 'includere' meaning 'to shut in or enclose'.
The element 'species' entered English via Latin 'species' (and Old French influence) with the sense 'kind' or 'type'. 'Inclusive' was formed from Latin 'inclusivus' via Middle French and later English. The compound 'species-inclusive' is a recent English formation (20th–21st century) combining these established words to create a descriptive adjective.
Individually, 'species' originally meant 'appearance' or 'kind' and has long meant 'type of organism'; 'inclusive' originally meant 'enclosing' or 'including within'. Together, the compound came to mean 'including multiple kinds (species)', a straightforward extension of the original senses.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
including or applying to multiple biological species rather than being limited to a single species.
The conservation strategy adopted a species-inclusive approach to protect both plants and animals across the reserve.
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Adjective 2
in ethical, policy, or research contexts: considering the interests, needs, or impacts on more than one species (often used when extending concern beyond humans).
A species-inclusive ethic recognizes moral considerations for nonhuman animals as well as humans.
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Last updated: 2026/01/16 11:57