Nominalis

Nominalis is a Latin adjective meaning “pertaining to a name” or “nominal.” It derives from nomen, meaning “name,” with the suffix -alis forming adjectives. In scholarly and taxonomic contexts, nominalis appears in Latinized scientific names as an epithet and in discussions about the status of named organisms.

In biological nomenclature, the distinction between a name and a biological entity is central. A name serves as a label that is ideally anchored to a type specimen, while the organism it refers to may or may not constitute a diagnosable or distinct taxon. In some taxonomic writings, the term nominal species or nominal taxon is used informally to describe a named entity that, upon revision, does not correspond to a separate lineage and may be treated as a synonym of another species. Conversely, a name may remain in use for historical reasons or due to insufficient information, in which case it could be referred to as a nomen dubium if the type is inadequate to diagnose the intended taxon.

Beyond biology, nominalis appears in Latin grammar and philosophy to describe attributes related to naming, designation, or nominal characteristics. In modern scientific Latin, the form functions largely as a grammatical marker within names rather than as a standalone technical term with a universal definition.

See also: Nomenclature; Nomen; Taxonomy.