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homologous definition

ho·molo·gous (hō mälə gəs)

adjective

  1. corresponding in structure, position, character, etc.
  2. Biol. corresponding in basic type of structure and deriving from a common primitive origin the wing of a bat and the foreleg of a mouse are homologous
  3. Chem.
    1. designating or of a series of compounds each member of which has a structure differing regularly by some increment (as a CH group) from that of the adjacent members
    2. having this relation with another or other compounds of such a series
    3. designating or of a series of elements in the same group or period of the periodic table, as the halogens, actinides, etc.
  4. Immunology
    1. of a serum given to and derived from the same species
    2. of a serum given to another species but for fighting the same bacterium
  5. Med. homoplastic (sense )

Etymology: Gr homologos, agreeing < homos, same + legein, say: see logic

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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