Subvariety

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A taxonomic rank that subdivides a variety, used to classify organisms with minor differences from the parent variety
2. A subdivision of a variety in biological classification that denotes a population with slight distinguishing characteristics
3. A classificatory level below variety that groups organisms showing small but consistent variations from the standard variety

Etymology: Subvariety is a plain compound: the prefix "sub-" (from Latin "sub", "under" or "below") attached to "variety". The prefix means a division within a division, so a subvariety is a narrower kind within a larger variety, such as a particular cultivar of a plant or a specific strain within a broader type. The base word "variety" came into English from Middle French "varieté", which in turn came from Latin "varietās", formed from "varius" ("diverse, changing"). The English suffix "-ty" that closes it descends through Old French and Middle English "-te" from the Latin "-tās", a suffix that turns an adjective into a noun of quality or state. Because "sub-" simply stacks onto an existing English noun, the word is a transparent, modern formation, and its meaning follows directly from its two parts.

Synonyms: subspecies, variety