homology
Americannoun
-
the state of being homologous; homologous relation or correspondence.
-
Biology.
-
a fundamental similarity based on common descent.
-
a structural similarity of two segments of one animal based on a common developmental origin.
-
-
Chemistry. the similarity of organic compounds of a series in which each member differs from its adjacent compounds by a fixed increment, as by CH 2 .
-
Mathematics. a classification of figures according to certain topological properties.
noun
-
the condition of being homologous
-
chem the similarities in chemical behaviour shown by members of a homologous series
-
zoology the measurable likenesses between animals, as used in grouping them according to the theory of cladistics
-
A homologous relationship or correspondence.
-
The relation of the chemical elements of a periodic family or group.
-
The relation of the organic compounds forming a homologous series.
-
A topological classification of configurations into distinct types that imposes an algebraic structure or hierarchy on families of geometric figures.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of homology
1650–60; < Greek homología agreement, equivalent to homólog ( os ) homologous + -ia -y 3
Explanation
A good example of homology is the wing of a bird and the flipper of a whale, which have the same evolutionary origin. Consequently, they're in a similar place on the body and have some similar characteristics. Homology exists between any distinct things that are the same in some important way. The word comes from Greek homologia, meaning "agreement"; the combining form homo- means “same." In biology, homology exists between parts or structures that are similar in some way, including having the same evolutionary origin. This is different from analogy, which is a similarity that doesn't have a common evolutionary origin — such as the analogy between a bird's wing and a mosquito's: Both are used for flying, but they developed by independent paths.
Vocabulary lists containing homology
Evolutionary Biology - High School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Evolutionary Biology - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: homo
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
However, homology between trunk somites and such head segments has been controversial.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 10, 2024
After using some standard techniques to simplify the data, the team computed the persistent homology of the system by connecting the data points at different scales and examining the resulting simplicial complexes.
From Scientific American ● Sep. 26, 2022
Serpell and other scientists tend to characterize this position as an overcorrection, but those who espouse it often begin by questioning the homology between dogs and wolves.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 10, 2021
The ORFs were classified as HCC or LCC on the basis of sequence homology and gene expression support.
From Nature ● Nov. 14, 2017
These productions, so different in their origin, can only be compared from the point of view of the part they play; there are analogies between them but not the least homology.
From The Industries of Animals by Houssay, Frédéric
Newer technologies can be used to help distinguish homologies from analogies.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Our analyses begin to integrate macroscopic information about morphology, organismal physiology, and descriptive embryology of these deuterostomes with genomic information about gene homologies, gene arrangements, gene novelties and non-coding elements.
From Nature ● Nov. 17, 2015
In addition to their morphological similarity, molecular analyses have revealed similar sequence homologies in their DNA.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
Paleontologists, for example, have brought ambiguous homologies into sharp focus with the discovery of transitional fossils.
From New York Times ● Apr. 26, 2010
Further study, however, of the homologies of these peculiar appendages, and especially a knowledge of the embryological development of Lepisma and Machilis, is needed before this interesting point can be definitely settled.
From Our Common Insects A Popular Account of the Insects of Our Fields, Forests, Gardens and Houses by Packard, A. S. (Alpheus Spring)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
