genus in English
- genus⇄genus, noun, pl.generaorgenuses.
1. any group of similar things; kind; sort; class.
Ex. Assuming, however, that there still exists the genus serious reader (Hayden Carruth).
2. a group of related animals or plants. A genus ranks below a
genus in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
genus in Sindhi سنڌي
Genus
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛnəs/
Definitions
1. A principal taxonomic category that ranks above species and below family, typically consisting of a group of species that are structurally similar or common in some way.
2. A category of organisms in biological classification, including one or more species that are thought to be related.
Usage Examples
- "The genus Canis includes dogs, wolves, and foxes."
- "Humans belong to the genus Homo."
- "Scientists discovered a new genus of insects in the tropical forest."
Etymology
From Latin "genus," meaning "kind, type, class, race," from the root of "gignere," meaning "to produce, to beget."
Synonyms
- Type
- Kind
- Class
- Category
Antonyms
- Individual
- Species
- Specific
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Género | /ˈxeːneɾo/ |
| French | Genre | /ʒɑ̃ʁ/ |
| German | Genus | /ˈɡeːnʊs/ |
| Italian | Genere | /ˈdʒɛːnere/ |
| Portuguese | Gênero | /ˈʒɛneɾu/ |
| Russian | Род | /rot/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 属 | /shǔ/ |
| Arabic | جنس | /dʒins/ |
| Japanese | 属 | /zoku/ |
| Hindi | वंश | /vaṃś/ |
| Bengali | জাত | /jāt/ |
| Tamil | இனம் | /iṇam/ |
| Punjabi | ਜਾਤੀ | /jātī/ |
| Marathi | वंश | /vaṃś/ |
| Gujarati | જાત | /jāt/ |
| Telugu | జాతి | /jāti/ |
| Malayalam | ജാതി | /jāti/ |
| Kannada | ಜನಾಂಗ | /janāṅga/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "genus" tends to remain consistent across major English dialects, with only slight variations in the emphasis on the initial syllable. In non-native English dialects, variations often occur in the vowel sounds.
Historical Usage
The word "genus" was first used in the field of biology during the time of Linnaeus in the 18th century to classify living organisms into groups. It has been a cornerstone in the development of the binomial nomenclature system, helping scientists classify and name organisms based on shared characteristics.
Cultural Nuances
In biology, the genus is a key unit of classification, linking together species that are similar in structure or characteristics. In broader usage, the term is often used to categorize things based on common traits, such as "genre" in literature or art, which has a similar meaning to genus.
More Information
The genus is a central concept in the biological sciences and is used in taxonomy to group species that share certain characteristics. In the hierarchical classification system, a genus is a rank above species and below family. For example, the genus "Homo" includes species such as Homo sapiens (humans), while "Canis" includes wolves and dogs. The genus is crucial for understanding the relationships between different species and for organizing the vast diversity of life on Earth.