illustrativus

Illustrativus is a Latin adjective meaning “illustrative” or “serving to illustrate.” In classical and later scholarly usage, the term is employed to describe things intended to clarify, exemplify, or illuminate a subject. In contemporary contexts it may appear as a descriptive label in education, linguistics, biology, or editorial work, and it can function as a stem in derived terms.

Forms and grammar: The standard Latin forms are illustrativus (masculine nominative), illustrativa (feminine), and illustrativum (neuter). As a component in compound terms or taxonomic names, the stem illustrativ- may receive usual Latin inflection to agree with gender, number, and case.

Biology and taxonomy: The epithet illustrativus has appeared in some scientific names to indicate an illustrative specimen or a reference figure in descriptions. The exact usage varies by genus and author, and it is not a universally common or fixed term within taxonomic practice, but it can be found as part of naming choices in certain publications.

Education and linguistics: In textbooks, glossaries, and instructional materials, illustrativus is used to describe example-bearing content or to label figures and diagrams that aid understanding. In Latin grammar, the word serves as a practical example of how adjectives agree with nouns in gender and number, illustrating standard adjective–noun concord.

See also: Latin adjectives; Taxonomic epithet; Illustrative.