IA Definition
A taxonomic genus within the family Vespertilionidae — now having only two species of bats.
Origin of IA
for 1, 2, 7 (& sometimes 4), L -ia & Gr -ia < -i-, thematic vowel + -a, noun suffix of 1st declension; for 3, 5, 6 (& sometimes 4), L -ia & Gr -ia, neut. pl. ending of L nouns in -ium & Gr nouns in -ion; -i-, thematic vowel + -a, suffix
From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition
Latin neuter pl. of -ius and Greek neuter pl. of -ios n. and adj. suffixes
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
New Latin from Latin -ia Greek -iā n. suff
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition