Sensu is a Latin term meaning "in the sense of". It is used in fields including biology, geology and law in the phrases sensu stricto or stricto sensu ("in the stricter sense") (abbr.: s.s.), ^[1] and sensu lato or lato sensu ("in the wider sense") (abbr.: s.l.).^[2] . In rare cases the superlatives sensu strictissimo ("in the strictest sense") and sensu latissimo ("in the widest sense") may be used. Another common usage is in conjunction with an author citation, indicating that the intended meaning is the one defined by that author.

[edit] Taxonomy

Sensu is used in taxonomy to specify which circumscription of a given taxon is meant, where more than one circumscription has been defined.

Examples:

The family Malvaceae s.s. is cladistically monophyletic.

In the broader APG circumscription the family Malvaceae s.l. includes Malvaceae s.s. and also the families Bombacaceae, Sterculiaceae and Tiliaceae.

"Banksia subg. Banksia sensu A. S. George"

specifies Alex George's circumscription of B. subg. Banksia.

[edit] References

1. ^ "Sensu stricto". FishBase. http://www.fishbase.org/Glossary/Glossary.php?q=sensu+stricto&language=english&sc=is. 
2. ^ W. Greuter, J. McNeill, F. R. Barrie et al.. Regnum Vegetabile Volume 138. International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (St Louis Code). Koeltz Scientific Books, Königstein. ISBN 3-904144-22-7. http://www.bgbm.fu-berlin.de/iapt/nomenclature/code/SaintLouis/0051Ch4Sec3a047.htm.