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-inae. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
-inae, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
-inae in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
-inae you have here. The definition of the word
-inae will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
-inae, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Translingual
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Latin -īnae, feminine plural form of -īnus (“-ine”).
Suffix
-inae f pl
- (taxonomy) Used to form names of subfamilies of animals.
- (taxonomy) Used to form names of subtribes of plants, algae and fungi and viruses.
Usage notes
- All derivations featuring this suffix are pluralia tantum, but were formally understood as adjectives modifying the Latin feminine plural nouns bestiae (“beasts”) or plantae; e.g. Felinae (“cats”) = bestiae felinae (“feline beasts”).
- With the understanding that, for example, members of Fungi, Archaea, and Virus are neither beasts nor plants, the historical fiction has little contemporary relevance.
Derived terms
Latin
Suffix
-īnae
- inflection of -īnus:
- nominative/vocative feminine plural
- genitive/dative feminine singular