diphyletic

[ dahy-fahy-let-ik ]
/ ˌdaɪ faɪˈlɛt ɪk /

adjective Biology.

of or relating to a taxonomic group of organisms derived from two separate ancestral lines.

Origin of diphyletic

First recorded in 1900–05; di-1 + phyletic

Words nearby diphyletic

diphtheroid, diphthong, diphthongia, diphthongize, diphycercal, diphyletic, diphyllobothriasis, diphyllobothrium, diphyllous, diphyodont, dipivefrin hydrochloride

British Dictionary definitions for diphyletic

diphyletic
/ (ˌdaɪfaɪˈlɛtɪk) /

adjective

relating to or characterized by descent from two ancestral groups of animals or plants