sottospecie

subspecies

noun sot-toh-SPEH-cheh Rare

Origin: from sotto (under) + specie (species)

Usage Note

Sottospecie is invariable in the plural — le sottospecie — since nouns ending in -ie do not change form. It is used in biology for a taxonomic rank below species, and figuratively to describe a lesser type or variety of something. The article is feminine: la sottospecie.

Examples

"Il lupo grigio ha diverse sottospecie."

Natural Translation

The grey wolf has several subspecies.

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