Linnaeus

Pronunciation: /lih-NEE-us/

Category: Taxonomy

Singular: Linnaeus

Plural: Linnaeuses

Definition

The last name of Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist who is regarded as the father of modern taxonomy.

Etymology

From Carl Linnaeus, who Latinized his birth name Carl Nilsson Linnæus, adopting 'Linnaeus' as his surname in Latin.

Example

Carl Linnaeus developed the system of binomial nomenclature, which is still used in the classification of plants and animals today.

Related Terms

Taxonomy
Binomial nomenclature
Classification

Usage Notes

Linnaeus is most well-known for his work 'Systema Naturae', which laid the foundations for the consistent use of binomial nomenclature in biological sciences.