superfamily
|su-per-fam-i-ly|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈsuːpərˌfæmɪli/
🇬🇧
/ˈsuːpəˌfæmɪli/
higher taxonomic group
Etymology
Etymology Information
'superfamily' originates from the prefix 'super-' meaning 'above' or 'beyond' and the word 'family', which comes from Latin 'familia', meaning 'household'.
Historical Evolution
'superfamily' was formed by combining 'super-' with 'family' to denote a higher taxonomic rank.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a group above family', and this meaning has remained consistent in scientific contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a taxonomic category ranking above a family and below an order, typically comprising several families.
The superfamily Hominoidea includes the families of gibbons and great apes.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/08 19:58