homology

[ huh-mol-uh-jee, hoh- ]

noun

, plural ho·mol·o·gies.

1. the state of being homologous; homologous relation or correspondence.
2. Biology.
   1. a fundamental similarity based on common descent.
   2. a structural similarity of two segments of one animal based on a common developmental origin.
3. Chemistry. the similarity of organic compounds of a series in which each member differs from its adjacent compounds by a fixed increment, as by CH 2 .
4. Mathematics. a classification of figures according to certain topological properties.

homology

/ həʊˈmɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being homologous
2. chem the similarities in chemical behaviour shown by members of a homologous series
3. zoology the measurable likenesses between animals, as used in grouping them according to the theory of cladistics

homology

/ hə-mŏl′ə-jē /

1. A homologous relationship or correspondence.
2. The relation of the chemical elements of a periodic family or group.
3. The relation of the organic compounds forming a homologous series.
4. A topological classification of configurations into distinct types that imposes an algebraic structure or hierarchy on families of geometric figures.

Word History and Origins

Origin of homology¹

1650–60; < Greek homología agreement, equivalent to homólog ( os ) homologous + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of homology¹

C17: from Greek homologia agreement, from homologos agreeing; see homologate

Example Sentences

To find all the types of holes within a particular topological shape, mathematicians build something called a chain complex, which forms the scaffolding of homology.

From Quanta Magazine

So instead, homology infers an object’s holes from its boundaries, a more precise mathematical concept.

From Quanta Magazine

Mathematicians extract a shape’s homology from its chain complex, which provides structured data about the shape’s component parts and their boundaries — exactly what you need to describe holes in every dimension.

From Quanta Magazine

The idea was to take the idea of homology—similarity due to shared evolutionary history—and build a predictive model of plant variation.

From Nautilus

The modern definition of homology is quite involved, but it is roughly a means of associating to each shape a certain mathematical object.

From Quanta Magazine

Homology is still determined by position, by connections, in the embryo as in the adult.

From Project Gutenberg

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