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Definition

noun, plural: orders

(1) (taxonomy) A taxonomic rank used in classifying organisms, generally below the class, and comprised of families sharing a set of similar nature or character

(2) A succession or sequence, usually arranged in a series

Supplement

(Taxonomy) For instance, Class Mammalia includes Order Chiroptera (bats), Order Primates (primates), Order Carnivora (meat-eating mammals), Order Cetacea (whales and purpoises), Order Insectivora (insect-eaters), etc.

Order in a hierarchical classification of organisms is generally in between Class and Family. However, in certain forms of classification, other taxonomic ranks in between include the following:

Magnorder

⇓

Superorder

⇓

(Order)

⇓

Suborder

⇓

Infraorder

⇓

Parvorder

Word origin: Latin ōrdinem, ōrdō (row, rank, regular arrangement”)

Related term(s):

• Disorder
• Superorder
• Suborder
• First-order kinetics
• Second-order kinetics
• Third-order kinetics

Mentioned in:

• Animal Kingdom