Superclass

For example, "Tetrapoda" is a superclass that includes the four classes of four-limbed land vertebrates - Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia.

In computer science, superclass is a class that is used to derive other classes. A superclass is also called a parent class or base class. The classes that are derived from a superclass are known as child classes or derived classes. A superclass allows for a generic interface to specialized functionality through the use of virtual functions.