family-tree theory
noun
: a theory in linguistics: at various periods branches (as Germanic) sprang from a parent language (as Indo-European) and subsequently forked into subbranches (as West Germanic, North Germanic) that later split up into the various modern languages (as English, German, Swedish)
called also pedigree theory
compare wave theoryDictionary Entries Near family-tree theory
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“Family-tree theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family-tree%20theory. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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