Linnaean

or Lin·ne·an

[ li-nee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Linnaeus, who established the binomial system of scientific nomenclature.
2. noting or pertaining to a system of botanical classification introduced by him, based mainly on the number or characteristics of the stamens and pistils.

Other Words From

• post-Lin·nean adjective
• pre-Lin·naean adjective
• pre-Lin·nean adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Linnaean¹

First recorded in 1745–55; Linnae(us) + -an

Example Sentences

She was headmistress at Patapsco from 1841 to 1859, a time when rich girls were taught mostly drawing, elocution and how to be a wife, instead of the Linnaean plant classification system.

From Washington Post

But to Ken Chaya, president of the Linnaean Society of New York, one of the city’s oldest birding organizations, Mr. Barrett’s account seems focused more on self promotion than protecting birds.

From New York Times

Though he was entirely self-taught, never learned Latin, and had scant understanding of Linnaean classifications, he was a prize plant collector, with an uncanny knack for finding and recognizing unknown species.

From Literature

Collection records and skilled observations are recorded with disciplined adherence to the Linnaean system of taxonomy.

From Seattle Times

When Lewis and Clark pushed off in their boats in May 1804 for the Pacific Ocean, two volumes on Linnaean botany, stowed in Lewis’s luggage, went floating along the Missouri with them.

From Scientific American