lineage

¹ American  

[lin-ee-ij] / ˈlɪn i ɪdʒ /

noun

1. lineal descent from an ancestor; ancestry or extraction.

   She could trace her lineage to the early Pilgrims.

   Synonyms:

   genealogy, derivation, parentage, pedigree

2. the line of descendants of a particular ancestor; family.

   Synonyms:

   clan, tribe

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lineage ² American  

[lahy-nij] / ˈlaɪ nɪdʒ /

noun

1. linage.

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lineage ¹ British  

/ ˈlɪnɪɪdʒ /

noun

1. direct descent from an ancestor, esp a line of descendants from one ancestor

2. a less common word for derivation

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lineage ² British  

/ ˈlaɪnɪdʒ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of linage

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Etymology

Origin of lineage

1275–1325; line(al) + -age; replacing Middle English linage < Anglo-French; Old French lignage < Vulgar Latin *līneāticum. See line ¹, -age

Example Sentences

It is now considered the earliest known representative of Dyrosauridae -- a lineage of ancient crocodiles that differed substantially from the crocodiles seen today.

From Science Daily

Except for a few deliberate crosses, researchers have found little evidence of genetic mixing after domestication established separate lineages.

From Science Daily

The 32-year-old walked out of the ring with the prestigious British heavyweight title - joining a lineage that includes Henry Cooper, Lennox Lewis, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

From BBC

A genealogist working with the organisation failed to detect Cherokee ancestry anywhere in King's family lineage.

From BBC

Geese plays skronky yet weirdly beautiful guitar music that inspires both swaying and moshing; it’s in a clear lineage of NYC acts that stretches back through the Strokes and Television to the Velvet Underground.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clan
• descent
• genealogy
• origin
• pedigree