faecale

Faecale is a Latin neuter adjective meaning “of feces” or “fecal.” It is the neuter form of faecalis, which is used as a descriptive Latin term in taxonomic names and other scientific phrases. In modern English, the corresponding adjective is usually spelled fecal (American English) or faecal (British English). The form faecale appears primarily in Latin phrases or in taxonomic contexts where Latin grammar governs the descriptor, and it is uncommon in everyday English.

In biology and medicine, faecalis is a common species epithet, as in Enterococcus faecalis, indicating an association with fecal material. The neuter form faecale is not typically used as a species name but can appear in Latin phrases such as materia faecale, meaning fecal material. The root faec- stems from Latin faex, faecis, related to dung or feces, and is the source of related terms in many languages. The modern English equivalents are fecal or faecal.

Usage and orthography vary by tradition and region. The ae spelling (faecal, faeces) is common in older British texts and in some scientific literature, while the simplified e spelling (fecal) is prevalent in American English and contemporary writing. Both forms derive from the same Latin root and convey the same general meaning: derived from or relating to feces.