superfamily

noun

su·per·fam·i·ly | \ ˈsü-pər-ˌfam-lē

, -ˈfa-mə-\

Definition of superfamily

1 : a category of biological classification ranking below an order and above a family

2 : a large group of closely related molecules or chemical compounds usually possessing a similar function

Recent Examples on the Web

Wood’s fascination with pelican spiders (and the four other members of the superfamily Palpimanoidea) goes back 10 years. — Sean Greene, latimes.com, "A spider that hunts other spiders: 18 new species of this bizarre Madagascar arachnid are unveiled," 26 Jan. 2018 Some researchers, including Pagel, believe that the world’s languages are united by even older superfamilies, but this view is hotly contested. — Elizabeth Norton, WIRED, "English May Have Retained Words From an Ice Age Language," 7 May 2013

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More Definitions for superfamily

superfamily

noun

su·per·fam·i·ly | \ ˈsü-pər-ˌfam-(ə-)lē

plural superfamilies

1 : a category of taxonomic classification between a family and an order or a suborder

2 : a large group of closely related molecules or chemical compounds usually possessing a similar function