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Taxonomy vs Arbitrary - What's the difference?

taxonomy | arbitrary |

As nouns the difference between taxonomy and arbitrary

is that taxonomy is the science or the technique used to make a classification while arbitrary is anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.

As an adjective arbitrary is

(usually|of a decision) based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.

taxonomy

Noun

(taxonomies)
  • The science or the technique used to make a classification.
  • A classification; especially , a classification in a hierarchical system.
  • (taxonomy, uncountable) The science of finding, describing, classifying and naming organisms.
  • Synonyms

    * alpha taxonomy

    Derived terms

    * folk taxonomy * scientific taxonomy

    See also

    * classification * rank * taxon * domain * kingdom * subkingdom * superphylum * phylum * subphylum * class * subclass * infraclass * superorder * order * suborder * infraorder * parvorder * superfamily * family * subfamily * genus * species * subspecies * superregnum * regnum * subregnum * superphylum * phylum * subphylum * classis * subclassis * infraclassis * superordo * ordo * subordo * infraordo * taxon * superfamilia * familia * subfamilia * ontology

    arbitrary

    English

    Adjective

    (arbitrariness) (en adjective)
  • (usually, of a decision) Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.
  • Benjamin Franklin's designation of "positive" and "negative" to different charges was arbitrary . In fact, electrons flow in the opposite direction to conventional current.
    The decision to use 18 years as the legal age of adulthood was arbitrary , as both age 17 and 19 were reasonable alternatives.
  • Determined by impulse rather than reason; heavy-handed.
  • "The Russian trials were Stalin's purges, with which he attempted to consolidate his power. Like most people in the West, I believed these show trials to be the arbitrary acts of a cruel dictator." ( Max Born, Letters to Einstein)
  • (mathematics) Any and all possible.
  • The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.
  • Determined by independent arbiter.
  • To secure food safety, there should first be a national standard to arbitrarily state what is wholesome and what is not; second, the final buyer should know exactly what he is purchasing. ( The World's Work ...: a history of our time)

    Noun

    (arbitraries)
  • Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.