SUBCLASS

subclass

(noun) (biology) a taxonomic category below a class and above an order

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

subclass (plural subclasses)

(object-oriented programming) An object class derived from another class (its superclass) from which it inherits a base set of properties and methods.

(taxonomy) A rank directly below class

A secondary class within a main class.

Synonyms

• (computing): child class, derived class, heir class

• (general): subset

Antonyms

• superclass

• superset

Hypernyms

• class

Verb

subclass (third-person singular simple present subclasses, present participle subclassing, simple past and past participle subclassed)

(transitive, computing) (in object-oriented programming) To create a subclass of (some class).

(transitive, computing) To cause (an object) to act as an instance of a subclass (by creating the desired subclass and instantiating an object of this subclass).

Antonyms

• (cause to act as a member of a subclass): unsubclass

Source: Wiktionary

Sub"class`, n.

Definition: One of the natural groups, more important than an order, into which some classes are divided; as, the angiospermous subclass of exogens.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition