clade

[ kleyd ]

noun

, Biology.

1. a taxonomic group of organisms classified together on the basis of homologous features traced to a common ancestor.

clade

/ kleɪd /

noun

1. biology a group of organisms considered as having evolved from a common ancestor

clade

/ klād /

1. A grouping of organisms made on the basis of their presumed evolutionary history, rather than purely on shared features. Clades consist of a common ancestor and all its descendants. The class Aves (birds) is a clade, but the class Reptilia (reptiles) is not, since it does not include birds, which are descended from the dinosaurs, a kind of reptile. Many modern taxonomists prefer to use clades in classification, and not all clades correspond to traditional groups like classes, orders, and phyla.
2. Compare grade

Word History and Origins

Origin of clade¹

First recorded in 1957, clade is from the Greek word kládos branch

Word History and Origins

Origin of clade¹

C20: from Greek klados branch, shoot

Example Sentences

In the last two years, India has reported more that 30 mpox cases caused by the older clade 2 strain, which is considered to be less infectious.

From BBC

There are no cases of the more worrying clade 1 mpox in the UK to date, and health officials say the risk to the UK population is low overall.

From BBC

That was in response to the rapid spread of a new variant, or clade, of the virus in central Africa.

From BBC

In recent years, clade 2.3.4.4b has adapted to infect some mammals.

From Salon

So far, most of the cases of the deadlier strain, known as clade Ib, have been on the African content, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

From Salon