taxonomy Hear it!

taxonomy Definition

tax·ono·my (tak sän′ə mē)

noun pl. -·mies

  1. the science of classification; laws and principles covering the classifying of objects
  2. Biol. a system of arranging animals and plants into natural, related groups based on some factor common to each, as structure, embryology, or biochemistry: the basic taxa now in use are, in descending order from most inclusive, kingdom, phylum (in botany, division), class, order, family, genus, and species

Etymology: Fr taxonomie < Gr taxis (see taxis) + nomos, law (see -nomy)

taxonomy Related Forms

tax′o·nom′ic (-sə näm′ik) adjective tax′o·nom′i·cally adverb tax·on′o·mist noun

taxonomy Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • genus: At present his main research interest is in the family Sterculiaceae, in particular the taxonomy of the tropical tree genus Scaphium.
  • objective: Taxonomy of educational objectives: the classification of educational goals.
  • error: Long term priority: - Developing a taxonomy of error in primary care.
  • bird: The taxonomy of Cuban birds is still in a state of flux!
  • type: Indeed, his document started with a comprehensive taxonomy of question types.
  • group: The taxonomy of this group of organisms, which has changed frequently over the years, appears to be quite complex.

Converse of object

  • propose: Ben began to construct a proposed taxonomy of the methods being used for energy conscious building design.
  • develop: Long term priority: - Developing a taxonomy of error in primary care.
  • define: It is a model that, in business terms, helps define a taxonomy of learning to develop managers.
  • create: Researchers Judy Burton, Rob Horowitz, and Hal Abeles created a taxonomy of learning in the arts and investigated the effects on learning.
  • produce: He stressed that no-one has produced a full taxonomy for a firm yet!
  • present: We present a taxonomy of such rules, together with examples of specific negotiation mechanisms.

Adjective modifier

  • numerical: In particular the paper links to the use of numerical taxonomy within the natural sciences where similar techniques have met with considerable success.
  • rational: A post-Darwinian rational taxonomy based on the structuralism of process.
  • biological: Species are the smallest unit of biological taxonomy, and are grouped together with similar species to form a genus.
  • multiple: This approach in essence maintains multiple taxonomies over a set of objects.
  • detailed: Includes fact sheets, FAQ's and detailed taxonomy with superb images.
  • comprehensive: Indeed, his document started with a comprehensive taxonomy of question types.

Noun used with modifier

  • plant: Higher plant taxonomy Scotland has 1,000 native vascular plant species, many of which are the subject of conservation concern.
  • virus: Virus Taxonomy - Seventh Report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.