Originally: each of three great divisions of the natural world, comprising animals, vegetables (plants), and minerals, respectively; the members…

= kingdom, n. 7.

Each of the three kingdoms (animal, vegetable, and mineral) into which natural objects are traditionally classified. Now rare.

In extended use. In the natural world: = kingdom, n. 7. Now rare.

A subdivision of a kingdom; (Biology) a taxonomic category below kingdom and above phylum or division; a group of this rank.

Taxonomy. A division of a subkingdom. Obsolete. rare.

One of the highest taxonomic groups of organisms, proposed in some classifications, spec. each of the three groups comprising the archaebacteria…

Biology. A taxonomic category ranking above kingdom; a group of this rank; cf. superkingdom, n.