Taxonomy

A taxonomy is a hierarchical structure of units in terms if class inclusion such that superordinate units in the hierarchy include, or subsume, all items in subordinate units. Taxonomies are typically represented as having tree structures.

Taxonomies display degree of specificity such that the superordinate units are very schematic or abstract and the subordinate units are very specific.

In cognitive linguistics taxonomies are hierarcies of concepts and thus types of folk taxonomies. Taxonomy is, along with radial structure, a primary organizing principle in prototype categories.