INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN O F BACTERIOLOGICAL
NOMENCLATURE AND TAXONOMY
Volume 6
No. 1
January 15, 1956
pp. 5-11
DIMINUTIVES AS GENERIC NAMES I N BACTERIOLOGY
.
R E . Buchanan
Many names of genera used i n each of the subdivisions of
biology (botany, bacteriology, and zoology) have a diminutive suffix. Bacterium, Bacteridium, Bacillus, and Bactridium a l l have the meaning of "small rod."
The nomenclatural code of e a c h branch of biology c l e a r l y
approves of the formation of a generic name f r o m the name
of a p e r s o n ; generic names a r e frequently thus dedicated;
r a t h e r commonly they have a suffix indicating diminution.
Usually the generic name i s derived f r o m a modern s u r name.
The zoological llRules'linclude two pertinent recommendations (not r u l e s ) among the siatements relative to the
c l a s s e s of words that may be taken a s generic n a m e s . One
r e l a t e s to the ending of modern s u r n a m e s to indicate dedication.
c
"Names terminating with a consonant take the ending
-La, or -ium." (Examples: Selysius f r o m Selys,
Lamarckia f r o m L a m a r c k ) . '!Names terminating with
-2, o r
the vowels e , i , o , u , o r y take the ending -us,
-um.
(Examples: Blainvillea f r o m Blainville, W y v z e a f r o m Wyville, Cavolinia f r o m Cavolini, Fatioa
f r o m Fatio, Bernaya f r o m Bernay, Quoya f r o m Quoy,
and Schulzea f r o m Schulze). "Names terminating- with
a take the ending - k . l 1(Example: Danaia f r o m Dana).
-&s,
-
Of the generic names given as examples above, with the exception of the masculine Selysius, a l l end in -a, and a r e
feminine. No example of the u s e of the neuter ending - L m
is included. The tendency i n zoology ( a s i n botany
or
and bacteriology) is to put generic names derived f r o m s u r names in the ferhinine f o r m .
The second pertinent zoological recommendation approves
the use of:
-urn
"Greek o r Latin derivatives expressing diminution,
comparison, resemblance, o r possession.
The recommendation was evidently not intended to authorize
Downloaded from www.microbiologyresearch.org by
IP: 88.99.165.207
On: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 11:27:31
Page 6
INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN
the addition of endings implying diminution i n forming gener i c names f r o m modern s u r n a m e s . T h e r e a r e many examples, however, among g e n e r i c n a m e s in zoology s o derived,
a s Prowazekella f r o m Prowazek, Schultzella f r o m Schultz,
Schaudinnula f r o m Schaudinn, Challengeretta f r o m the ship
Challenger, as well a s Challengeridium and Challengerilla.
The corresponding recommendations i n bacteriology and
in botany relative to derivation of a g e n e r i c name f r o m the
name of a p e r s o n a r e p r a c t i c a l l y identical except f o r the
examples cited. The Recommendation of the Bacteriological
Code reads:
"When a new n a m e for a genus o r subgenus is taken
f r o m the n a m e of a person, it should be f o r m e d i n the
following manner:
1. When the name of the person ends i n a vowel the l e t t e r -5is added (thus, Gaffkya a f t e r Gaffky; Noguchia
a f t e r Noguchi; S e r r a t i a a f t e r S e r r a t i ) , except when
the name a l r e a d y ends i n -2, then -La i s added ( e . g. ,
Collaea a f t e r Colla).
2 . When the name of a p e r s o n ends i n a consonant the
l e t t e r s -5 a r e added ( e . g . , E s c h e r i c h i a a f t e r E s c h erich. Erwinia a f t e r E r w i n F. Smith, P a s t e u r i a a f t e r
P a s t e u r ) , except when the n a m e ends i n - e r , then -5
is added ( e . g . , K e r n e r a a f t e r K e r n e r ) . In latinized
names ending i n - u s , this termination is dropped bef o r e adding the suffix."
These recommendations have not always been followed
in bacteriology; the names f o r m e d in contravention to the
recommendations a r e not illegitimate a s a r e s u l t . F o r example, N e i s s e r i a ( a f t e r N e i s s e r ) instead of N e i s s e r a and
Zopfius ( a f t e r Zopf) instead of Zopfia a r e i n acceptable f o r m .
An additional Recommendation in the Bacteriological Code
( s i m i l a r in wording to that of the Botanical Code) r e a d s :
"Names may be f o r m e d by use of a prefix o r a suffix, o r
In t h e s e c a s e s ,
modified by a n a g r a m or abbreviation.
they count as different words f r o m the original n a m e .
In many c a s e s , the n a m e s of b a c t e r i a l g e n e r a a r e f o r m e d
by the addition of a diminutive ending. The m o s t common modern convention is to add one of the endings,
Downloaded from www.microbiologyresearch.org by
IP: 88.99.165.207
On: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 11:27:31
Page 7
BACTERIOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE
A N D TAXONOMY
- - -
-ellus, - e l l a , -ellum, p r e f e r a b l y -e&a,
to conform to
Recommendation 5 a . * In s o m e few c a s e s one of the endings - i l l u s , -illa, -illum h a s been added. I t
T h e r e i s no r e a s o n why other diminutives than those
indicated above may not be u s e d i n the formation of names
f r o m p e r s o n a l names ( p a t r o n y m i c s ) . A brief review i s h e r e
given of c l a s s i c a l diminutive endings and the ways in which
they have been and may be employed.
The Latins u s e d s e v e r a l diminutive suffixes, usually
various modifications of - l u s , - l a , -1um. The exact f o r m
of the diminutive ending v a r i e s s o m e w x t with the ending of
the word to be modified.
- -
1 . Words in which the s t e m ends in -g, -c , -d,
- o r --t usually f o r m the diminutive by adding -*s,
or
-ulum, s o m e t i m e s -lus, - l a , o r -1um. F o r example;
r e x , r e g i s ( s t e m r e g - ) a king; regulus, a chieftain;
vox, vocis ( s t e m V O C - ) voice; vocula a s m a l l voice;
hortus a garden; hortulus a little g a r d e n ;
oppidum a town; oppidulum a l i t t l e town.
- -
--
-
-+,
2 . Words that end i n - u s , -a , o r -um
i , or
- preceded by -e , u, usually f o r m the diminutive by dropping the gender
o r -olum. Thus,
ending and adding -&s,
alveus a cavity; alveolus a s m a l l cavity;
gladius a s w o r d ; gladiolus a s m a l l sword;
bestia a b e a s t ; bestiola a little b e a s t .
-*, -
3 . Words that end i n - u s , - a , o r -um preceded b y i , r , o r
n, usually change t h e vowel j u s t preceding the consonant to e , and the 1, r , o r n to 11. Where another consonant TmmediateF p r e c e d e s the 1, r , o r n the vowel e
i s i n s e r t e d . As a r e s u l t , many Z i G i n u t G e s of L a t i n
nouns end i n - e l l u s , -ella, o r - e l l u m .
asinus a n a s s ; a s e C Z a little a s s ;
fabula a s t o r y ; fabellus a s h o r t s t o r y ;
u m b r a shade; umbella a little shade, an u m b r e l l a .
-
%ecomendation 5a ( 6 ) suggests g i v i n g a "feminine f o r n i t o
a l l p e r s o n a l g e n e r i c names, whether t h e y comnmnorate a man
o r n woman. ' '
Downloaded from www.microbiologyresearch.org by
IP: 88.99.165.207
On: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 11:27:31
Page 8
INTERNATIONAL
BULLETIN
In other words, the suffix -%a
so commonly appended
i n forming generic names was not a standard Latin suffix,
but was developed only for certain words. In view of its
general use a s a suffix f o r modern Latin generic names,
there would seem to be good reason for accepting it a s a
standard diminutive ending, a t least wherever it i s euphonious.
4 . The diminutive ending -illus, -=a,
-illum sometimes
used with patronymics (Welchillus, Meyerillus, HErillus) to form a diminutive apparently a r o s e from
analogy. The Latin diminutive of lapis, lapidis a stone
is lapillus- This has apparently been equated with
-ellus, -*a,
-ellurn. It has been used by but few
authors. This ending i a found in the Latin nouns bacillus and bacillum
-
-
.
,:F
5. Latin stems that end i n L , z , E , o r 2, o r in
o’r 5
add -culus, -c&a,
-culum, frequently changing the
vowel preceding the final stem consonant to 2.
homo, hominis (stern homin- ) a man; homunculus
a manikin;
Virgo, virginis (stem virgin-) a maid; virguncula
a little maid;
a f i r e ; igniculus a spark;
ignis (stem I=-)
vulpes a fox; vulpecula a little fox;
canis a dog; canicula a small dog.
-
-
6. The frequency of diminutives formed as noted under
No. 5 supra also led to the recognition of -unculus,
-uncula, -unculum as derived suffixes.
rana frog; ranunculus a little frog, a tadpole;
domus a house; domuncula a little house.
-
7 . The suffix - G o may indicate a diminutive,
homo, hominis a man; homuncio a manikin.
--
8 . The suffixes -=s,
- L a , -1eum may be diminutive,
acus a pin; aculeus a sting.
-
9. The suffix a s t e r , a s t r i s may be a diminutive, as in
Antoniaster, a little Anthony, an imitator of
Anthony.
Downloaded from www.microbiologyresearch.org by
IP: 88.99.165.207
On: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 11:27:31
Page 9
BAC TERIOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE
AND TAXONOMY
10. The suffix -%a
was occasionally used to f o r m the
diminutive of a name a s Iulitta f r o m Iulia and Pollita
f r o m Polla (Paula).
The Greeks a l s o recognized s e v e r a l diminutive endings
to be used a s suffixes f o r nouns. Most common were:
1.
-
= -ium.
%a?<,
naL€idc = paes, paedis a child;
-n a r6 t O p = paedium a little child;
LOV
n l : d p u ~ , ~ ; T E ~ U ~ O =S pteryx, pterygis a wing;
ZTEpu’y‘ov = pterygium a little wing.
- I
2.
-
o2xor = oecus house;
o’txi&jcov = oecidium a little house.
-
3.
-
= -idium.
L ~ L O V
-~
C
p =
-
C
= -arium.
-
--
- paes, paedis a child;
% a ? ~ .nat6oc
v
7 t a ~ 8 a p ( o v= paedarium a young child.
,
4 . -bu6p~ov = -ydrium.
% 6 . h cs = polis a city;
n o h 6 6 p t o v = polydrium a s m a l l city.
5.
- UXXLOV
6.
- LGXOS
7.
-
= -yllium.
80 5 = anthus flower;
dc v 8 6h h L o v = anthyllium a s m a l l flower.
9
= iscua.
x A G 6 o s = cladus a shoot of a t r e e ;
x X a 6 i b x o s = cladiscus a s m a l l shoot.
rdxq
n
T
= -isce.
-a ts6r
= p a e s , paedis a child;
n a ( 6 l a x . n = paedisce o r paedisca a s m a l l g i r l .
& a n & , -&anl6oS
= a s p i s , aspidis a round shield;
&anc8tuxq = aspidisce ( o r a s p i d i s c a ) a boss, knob.
pa(Scr. = m a z a a barley-scone;
G a l ; i u x q = m a z i s c e or m a z i s c a a s m a l l scone.
-8
-
-
-
Downloaded from www.microbiologyresearch.org by
IP: 88.99.165.207
On: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 11:27:31
P a g e 10
INTERNATIONAL
BULLETIN
-
8. -iota, the s m a l l e s t l e t t e r of the G r e e k alphabet, h a s
been u s e d as a suffix to denote diminution i n names of
g e n e r a derived f r o m p e r s o n a l n a m e s , as Colesiota and
Bor r eliota.
One m a y s u m m a r i z e the utility of diminutive suffixes i n
the formation of new g e n e r i c n a m e s as follows:
1 . The following suffixes expressing diminution s e e m
suitable f o r u s e i n making new g e n e r i c names f r o m
Latin w o r d s . F o r m o s t of them t h e r e is precedent.
a. -ulus, -ula, -ulum
b. -olus, - L a , -olum
c . - e l l u s , - e l l a , -ellum
d. -illus, - i l l a s -illum
e . -culus, -cula, -culum
f . -uncnlus, -uncula, -unculum
g . -cio, - l e u s , - a s t e r , and -itta r a r e l y .
- - -
- - - - - - -
- - - - -
2 . The following suffixes e x p r e s s i n g diminution s e e m
suitable f o r use i n making new g e n e r i c names f r o m
Greek words.
a . -ium
b. -idium
c . -arium rarely
d. -ydrium r a r e l y
e . -yllium r a r e l y
f . - i s c u s and -&e
(-=a)
g. -iota.
-
-
Note that with the exception of - i s c u s ( m a s c u l i n e ) and -&e
o r &a
(feminine) the other Greek diminutive endings a r e
n e u G a n d that, i n the Greek, i o t a i s a n indeclinableneuter
noun, a s a r e the n a m e s of m o s t G r e e k l e t t e r s .
3 . Diminutives that may appropriately be used f o r addition to p e r s o n a l names should p r e f e r a b l y conform to
the Recommendation that a feminine f o r m be given to
a l l p e r s o n a l n a m e s . These p r e s u m a b l y could be e i t h e r
Latin o r t r a n s l i t e r a t e d G r e e k feminine endings. These
would be
- - - -
-ula, -ola, -ella, -illa, -=a,
-uncula, -%a,
-&e,
Downloaded from www.microbiologyresearch.org by
IP: 88.99.165.207
On: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 11:27:31
-isca.
P a g e 11
BACTERIOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE
AND TAXONOMY
Whether o r n o t i o t a , when u s e d a s a suffix o r a s the
last component of a compound g e n e r i c name, should
confer neuter gender on the noun m a y b e debated. H a r p e r ' s Latin Dictionary, 1907, lists i o t a a s a neuter indeclinable noun, but adds "sometimes (on account of
l i t t e r a ) %a,
a e . f . ' I An example of s u c h u s e a s a
feminine noun is cited: " l i t t e r a iotae s i m i l i s . " The
gender of g e n e r i c n a m e s ending in -=a
was not fixed
by usage i n the g e n e r a Colesiota and B o r r e l i o t a .
---
REFERENCES
Andrews, E . A . , C . T . Lewis, and C . Short. H a r p e r ' s
Latin Dictionary. Founded on the t r a n s l a t i o n of F r e u n d ' s
Latin-German Lexicon. A m e r i c a n Book Co. Copyright
1907.
Buck, C. D. and Walter P e t e r s e n . A Reverse Index of G r e e k
Nouns and Adjectives.
University of Chicago P r e s s .
(Date of printing indeterminate, l a t e r than 1939).
Goodwin, W . W . and C . B . Gulick. G r e e k G r a m m a r . Ginn
and Co. 1930.
Lane, G.M. A Latin G r a m m a r for Schools and Colleges.
Rev. ed. edited by M . H . Morgan. American Book Co.
Copyright 1926.
Liddell, H.G. and R. Scott. A Greek-English Lexicon. 8th
ed. P r e f a c e dated June, 1897.
Downloaded from www.microbiologyresearch.org by
IP: 88.99.165.207
On: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 11:27:31
Downloaded from www.microbiologyresearch.org by
IP: 88.99.165.207
On: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 11:27:31