phenetic

[fi-net-ik]

pertaining to or based on the observable similarities and differences between organisms without regard to assumed genealogy.

Origin of phenetic

1960; phen- (extracted from phenotype, or directly from Greek phaínein to show; cf. pheno-) + -etic, perhaps on the model of phyletic or phylogenetic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Word Origin and History for phenetic

adj.

coined 1960, from Greek phainein "to appear" (see phantasm) + -etic. Related: Phenetically.