ˈsti(ə)rps, ˈstərps noun
( plural stir·pes -irˌpās, -ər(ˌ)pēz)
Etymology: Latin stirp-, stirps branch of a family, lineage, trunk, root — more at torpid
1. : a branch of a family — usually used in the phrase per stirpes
2. : the person from whom a branch of a family is descended
3.
a. : a large group of animals comparable to a superfamily
b. : a race or fixed variety of plants