parvus

Parvus is a Latin adjective meaning small, little, or minor. It derives from classical Latin and has left a lasting imprint on scientific terminology, where its root is often seen in adjectives and in combining forms used to denote small size. In proper Latin form, parvus has gendered endings: parvus (masculine), parva (feminine), and parvum (neuter), to agree with the noun they modify.

In taxonomy, parvus is widely used as a descriptive epithet in binomial nomenclature. As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the genus name, so species epithets may appear as parvus, parva, or parvum depending on the genus. This practice reflects a long-standing Latin convention in zoological and botanical naming.

Beyond strict taxonomy, the root appears in modern scientific vocabulary as a combining form to indicate small size. The form parvo- or parv- is common in terms such as parvovirus, where the name signifies a small, diminutive virus particle. This usage demonstrates how the Latin base parvus continues to influence contemporary scientific language.

Historically, parvus also functioned as a straightforward descriptive term in Latin texts describing people, objects, or phenomena of small size or lesser degree. While the word itself remains primarily a linguistic and taxonomic descriptor, its influence persists in both classical literature and modern scientific terminology.