polyphyletic

adjective

poly·​phy·​let·​ic ˌpä-lē-(ˌ)fī-ˈle-tik How to pronounce polyphyletic (audio)
: of, relating to, or derived from more than one ancestral stock
specifically : relating to or being a taxonomic group that includes members (such as genera or species) from different ancestral lineages
polyphyletically
ˌpä-lē-(ˌ)fī-ˈle-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce polyphyletic (audio)
adverb

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek polyphylos of many tribes, from poly- + phylē tribe — more at phyl-

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polyphyletic was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near polyphyletic

polyphylesis

polyphyletic

polyphylety

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Polyphyletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyphyletic. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

polyphyletic

adjective
poly·​phy·​let·​ic ˌpäl-i-(ˌ)fī-ˈlet-ik How to pronounce polyphyletic (audio)
: of or relating to more than one stock
specifically : derived from more than one ancestral line
polyphyletically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce polyphyletic (audio)
adverb
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