holotype

[ hol-uh-tahyp, hoh-luh- ]
/ ˈhɒl əˌtaɪp, ˈhoʊ lə- /

noun Biology.

the type specimen used in the original description of a species.

Origin of holotype

First recorded in 1895–1900; holo- + -type

OTHER WORDS FROM holotype

hol·o·typ·ic [hol-uh-tip-ik, hoh-luh-] /ˌhɒl əˈtɪp ɪk, ˌhoʊ lə-/, adjective

Words nearby holotype

holoprosencephaly, holorachischisis, holosericeous, holosystolic, holothurian, holotype, holozoic, holp, holpen, hols, holst

Example sentences from the Web for holotype

British Dictionary definitions for holotype

holotype
/ (ˈhɒləˌtaɪp) /

noun

biology another name for type specimen

Derived forms of holotype

holotypic (ˌhɒləˈtɪpɪk), adjective

Medical definitions for holotype

holotype
[ hŏl′ə-tīp′, hō′lə- ]

n.

The specimen used as the basis of the original published description of a taxonomic group and later designated as the type specimen.

Scientific definitions for holotype

holotype
[ hŏl′ə-tīp′, hō′lə- ]

The single specimen or illustration designated as the type for naming a species or subspecies or used as the basis for naming a species or subspecies when no type has been selected. Also called type species