lineage

¹

[ lin-ee-ij ]

noun

1. lineal descent from an ancestor; ancestry or extraction:

   She could trace her lineage to the early Pilgrims.

   Synonyms: genealogy, derivation, parentage, pedigree

2. the line of descendants of a particular ancestor; family.

   Synonyms: clan, tribe

lineage

²

[ lahy-nij ]

noun

1. linage.

lineage

¹

/ ˈlɪnɪɪdʒ /

noun

1. direct descent from an ancestor, esp a line of descendants from one ancestor
2. a less common word for derivation

lineage

²

/ ˈlaɪnɪdʒ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of linage

Word History and Origins

Origin of lineage¹

1275–1325; line(al) + -age; replacing Middle English linage < Anglo-French; Old French lignage < Vulgar Latin *līneāticum. See line ¹, -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of lineage¹

C14: from Old French lignage, from Latin līnea line ¹

Example Sentences

“Blood-feeding animals, regardless of lineage, often have specialized mouthparts or other structures to access blood,” Dr. Isabel Ortega Insaurralde, who studies hematophages at the University of Buenos Aires, told Salon.

From Salon

Beyoncé, who channeled her mother’s lineage earlier this year for her “Cowboy Carter” imagery, wrote on Instagram that she “couldn’t be prouder” of her mom.

From Los Angeles Times

Guillermo’s lineage was a surprise even to Guillén, who had proposed the last name De la Cruz for his character.

From Los Angeles Times

The chance to add to a garment’s story with our own lineage and that of the people we love, regardless of the item’s price or brand, is perhaps the most luxurious of all.

From Los Angeles Times

Buffy’s role as the Chosen One is part of a lineage of Slayers.

From Salon

Related Words

• clan
• descent
• genealogy
• origin
• pedigree