definitions

phylogeny

[ fahy-loj-uh-nee ]
/ faɪˈlɒdʒ ə ni /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR phylogeny ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the development or evolution of a particular group of organisms.
the evolutionary history of a group of organisms, especially as depicted in a family tree.

RELATED WORDS

genetic, national, tribal, ancestral, folk, hereditary, genealogical, lineal, phyletic

Nearby words

phylo-, phylogenesis, phylogenetic, phylogenetic classification, phylogenetics, phylogeny, phylon, phylum, phyma, phymatic, phymatosis
Also phy·lo·gen·e·sis [fahy-luh-jen-uh-sis] /ˌfaɪ ləˈdʒɛn ə sɪs/.
Compare ontogeny.

Origin of phylogeny

First recorded in 1865–70; phylo- + -geny

Related forms

phy·lo·ge·net·ic [fahy-luh-juh-net-ik] /ˌfaɪ lə dʒəˈnɛt ɪk/, phy·lo·ge·net·i·cal, phy·lo·gen·ic, adjectivephy·lo·ge·net·i·cal·ly, adverbphy·log·e·nist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for phylogenetic

British Dictionary definitions for phylogenetic

phylogeny

phylogenesis (ˌfaɪləʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs)

/ (faɪˈlɒdʒɪnɪ) /

noun plural -nies or -geneses (-ˈdʒɛnɪˌsiːz)

biology the sequence of events involved in the evolution of a species, genus, etcCompare ontogeny

Derived Forms

phylogenic (ˌfaɪləʊˈdʒɛnɪk) or phylogenetic (ˌfaɪləʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for phylogeny

C19: from phylo- + -geny
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for phylogenetic (1 of 2)

phylogenetic

[ fī′lō-jə-nĕt′ĭk ]

adj.

Of or relating to phylogeny or phylogenetics.
Relating to or based on evolutionary development or history.

Medicine definitions for phylogenetic (2 of 2)

phylogeny

[ fī-lŏj′ə-nē ]

n.

The evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of organisms.phylogenesis
The evolutionary development of an organ or other part of an organism.

Related forms

phy′lo•gen′ic (-jĕn′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for phylogenetic

phylogeny

[ fī-lŏj′ə-nē ]

The evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of organisms.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.