Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Biology, Taxonomy) Subclass: A taxonomic rank in biological classification, below "class" and above "order". It is used to group together related orders.
   • (General) Layer, Stratum: A distinct layer within a structure or system, formed by a process of division or separation. (Note: This meaning is less common for the isolated word "phân lớp" and is more frequently expressed by the compound word "tầng lớp". The primary definition is biological.)

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Động vật có vú được chia thành ba phân lớp. (Mammals are divided into three subclasses.)
  • Trong phân loại học, "phân lớp" là một cấp bậc quan trọng. (In taxonomy, "subclass" is an important rank.)

Advanced Usage

• "thuộc phân lớp": belonging to the subclass.
  • Những loài chim này thuộc cùng một phân lớp. (These bird species belong to the same subclass.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lớp (Class): The taxonomic rank above "subclass".
• Phân loại (To classify, Classification): The act or process of organizing into classes or categories.
• Tầng lớp (Social stratum, Layer): A social class or a physical layer (e.g., of rock, society). This is a distinct compound word.

Synonyms

• Nhóm phụ (Subgroup): A secondary or subordinate group.
• Dưới lớp (Infraclass): A taxonomic rank sometimes below subclass. (Note: This is a more specific term.)

Related Phrases / Compound Terms

• Phân lớp học (Subclass study): The study or characteristics of a subclass.
• Hệ thống phân lớp (Classification system): A system for organizing into classes and subclasses.

Notes on Usage

• The word "phân lớp" is primarily a scientific term used in biology and taxonomy. In everyday language, to express the idea of "layers" or "strata", the compound word "tầng lớp" is more commonly used.
• It functions as a noun and is often used in its compound form with other words to specify a field (e.g., "phân lớp sinh học" - biological subclass).

1. (sinh học) Subclass