homology
Americannoun
plural
homologies-
the state of being homologous; homologous relation or correspondence.
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Biology.
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a fundamental similarity based on common descent.
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a structural similarity of two segments of one animal based on a common developmental origin.
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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 .
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Mathematics. a classification of figures according to certain topological properties.
noun
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the condition of being homologous
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chem the similarities in chemical behaviour shown by members of a homologous series
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zoology the measurable likenesses between animals, as used in grouping them according to the theory of cladistics
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A homologous relationship or correspondence.
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The relation of the chemical elements of a periodic family or group.
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The relation of the organic compounds forming a homologous series.
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A topological classification of configurations into distinct types that imposes an algebraic structure or hierarchy on families of geometric figures.
Etymology
Origin of homology
1650–60; < Greek homología agreement, equivalent to homólog ( os ) homologous + -ia -y 3
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, homology between trunk somites and such head segments has been controversial.
From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2024
After using some standard techniques to simplify the data, the team computed the persistent homology of the system by connecting the data points at different scales and examining the resulting simplicial complexes.
From Scientific American • Sep. 26, 2022
DNA analysis shows that emus and ostriches share more genetic homology with flying birds which live in the same region than with each other.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
Serpell and other scientists tend to characterize this position as an overcorrection, but those who espouse it often begin by questioning the homology between dogs and wolves.
From Washington Post • Aug. 10, 2021
Now in these groups no zoologist would deny the homology of the mouth and anus in the different forms, and yet how very different is their history even in closely allied animals.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
