fraternal twin

noun

1. one of a pair of twins, not necessarily resembling each other, or of the same sex, that develop from two separately fertilized ova.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fraternal twin¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Comparing identical twins with fraternal twins, as opposed to comparing twins to non-twins, allowed the researchers to rule out any epigenetic changes that stemmed from the unusual experience of sharing a womb.

From Science News

This was an ongoing study of twins in Michigan, including both identical twins who have the exact same genetic material, and also fraternal twins who share half their genetic material, following these twins since birth.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• identical twin
• Siamese twin