Taxonomist: meaning, definitions and examples

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taxonomist

 

[ tækˈsɒnəmɪst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

scientific classification

A taxonomist is a scientist who specializes in taxonomy, which is the classification of living organisms into groups based on shared characteristics. This includes naming, describing, and categorizing species, as well as understanding their evolutionary relationships. Taxonomists play a crucial role in biodiversity research and conservation efforts by providing essential data about the variety of life on Earth.

Synonyms

biologist, classifier, systematist.

Examples of usage

  • The taxonomist identified several new species during the expedition.
  • Taxonomists work with both flora and fauna to organize ecological data.
  • A renowned taxonomist published a comprehensive guide to marine life.

Translations

Translations of the word "taxonomist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 taxonomista

🇮🇳 वर्गीकरणकर्ता

🇩🇪 Taxonom

🇮🇩 taksonomis

🇺🇦 таксономіст

🇵🇱 taksonom

🇯🇵 分類学者

🇫🇷 taxonomiste

🇪🇸 taxónomo

🇹🇷 taksonomist

🇰🇷 분류학자

🇸🇦 عالم التصنيف

🇨🇿 taxonom

🇸🇰 taksonóm

🇨🇳 分类学家

🇸🇮 taksonom

🇮🇸 flokkunfræðingur

🇰🇿 таксономист

🇬🇪 ტაქსონომი

🇦🇿 taksonom

🇲🇽 taxónomo

Etymology

The term 'taxonomist' is derived from the Greek word 'taxon', meaning 'arrangement', and the suffix '-ist', indicating a person who practices or specializes in a certain field. The use of taxonomy as a scientific discipline dates back to the 18th century when Carl Linnaeus developed a system for naming and classifying organisms that is still in use today. Linnaeus's binomial nomenclature allowed for a standardized method of naming species, which enhanced communication and understanding in biological sciences. As biology evolved into a more complex field, the role of the taxonomist became increasingly important, particularly in the context of biodiversity studies and environmental conservation, highlighting the need for systematic classification in an era of rapid ecological change.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,740, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.