phylogeny

(fī läjə nē)

noun pl. phylogenies

  1. the lines of descent or evolutionary development of any plant or animal species
  2. the origin and evolution of a division, group, or race of animals or plants
  3. the historical development of a nonliving thing, as a group of languages

Origin: Ger phylogenie, coined (1866) by Ernst Heinrich Haeckel: see phylo- & -geny

Related Forms:

See phylogeny in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. phy·log·e·nies
  1. The evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of organisms. Also called phylogenesis.
  2. The evolutionary development of an organ or other part of an organism: the phylogeny of the amphibian intestinal tract.
  3. The historical development of a tribe or racial group.

Origin:

Origin: Greek phūlon, race, class; see phylum

Origin: + -geny

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Related Forms:

  • phyˌlo·genˈic (-jĕnˈĭk) adjective

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