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convergent evolution

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noun

the appearance of apparently similar structures in organisms of different lines of descent.

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RELATED WORDS

convergence, speciation

Nearby words

  1. convergence excess,
  2. convergence insufficiency,
  3. convergence zone,
  4. convergent,
  5. convergent boundary,
  6. convergent plate boundary,
  7. convergent sequence,
  8. convergent strabismus,
  9. convergent thinking,
  10. convergently

Origin of convergent evolution

First recorded in 1965–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Medicine definitions for convergent evolution

convergent evolution

n.

convergence
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Culture definitions for convergent evolution

convergent evolution

The development through evolution of similar features by organisms with distinctly different ancestors. A common example of this is the evolution of wings in insects and birds.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.