subfamily
|sub-fam-i-ly|
C1
/ˈsʌbˌfæmɪli/
smaller division of a family
Etymology
Etymology Information
'subfamily' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'subfamilia,' where 'sub-' meant 'under' and 'familia' meant 'family.'
Historical Evolution
'subfamilia' transformed into the English word 'subfamily' through Latin influence.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a smaller division of a family,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a taxonomic category that ranks below family and above genus, used in the classification of organisms.
The Felinae is a subfamily of the family Felidae.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/02 01:00