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

/ ˈlaɪnɪdʒ /

noun

1. See linage
   a variant spelling of linage

lineage

²

/ ˈlɪnɪɪdʒ /

noun

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

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

This mouth of razors is unique among mosasaurs, and even within the entirety of the tetrapod lineage, mostly landlubbing vertebrates that include amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

From Science News

Mehta placed himself in the lineage of blind writers such as Homer and Milton, although some critics accused him of playing tricks on readers by failing to disclose his sightlessness.

From Washington Post

Michelle Trostler, a San Diego-based genetic genealogist who reviewed Portugal’s test results and lineage at VOSD’s request, said there’s “very little doubt” that Vandenberg is her biological father.

From Voice of San Diego

Evolution is change—change in the make-up of a lineage over time.

From Nautilus

The figure of Frank “Boss” Hague situates DeGise within a political lineage of Democratic machine politics that have dominated New Jersey for over a century.

From Washington Post

In a remote corner of China, one village tells a strange lineage tale.

From The Daily Beast

We salute a venerable lineage of strong women, big hair, and drama.

From The Daily Beast

For me, in a weird way, I see a lineage between the first two records and this Voidz record.

From The Daily Beast

Heinz traces its lineage to 1869 and first started making ketchup in 1876.

From The Daily Beast

He adds that he has "long been a fan of Hugo Boss's vast tradition and lineage in extraordinary tailoring."

From The Daily Beast

But never a word did he relate of the lineage of Olaf, yet held he him in high favour.

From Project Gutenberg

Now the name of a certain man from Vik was Lodin, and he possessed much wealth and was come of a goodly lineage.

From Project Gutenberg

Maybe thou art of higher lineage than she, yet nevertheless it beseemeth to me that with her is the happiness of ye both.

From Project Gutenberg

He took no pains to conceal his birth and lineage in the most aristocratic country of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps Tess's lineage had more value for himself than for anybody in the world beside.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clan
• descent
• genealogy
• origin
• pedigree