phenetics

[ fi-net-iks ]
/ fɪˈnɛt ɪks /

noun (used with a singular verb) Biology.

classification of organisms based on measurable similarities and differences rather than genetic makeup and evolutionary descent.

Origin of phenetics

see origin at phenetic, -ics

usage note for phenetics

See -ics.

OTHER WORDS FROM phenetics

phe·net·i·cist [fi-net-uh-sist] /fɪˈnɛt ə sɪst/, noun

Words nearby phenetics

phencyclidine, phene, phenelzine, phenethyl alcohol, phenetic, phenetics, phenetidine, phenetole, phenformin, phenic acid, phenicia

British Dictionary definitions for phenetics

phenetics
/ (fɪˈnɛtɪks) /

noun

(functioning as singular) biology a system of classification based on similarities between organisms without regard to their evolutionary relationships

Derived forms of phenetics

phenetic, adjective

Word Origin for phenetics

C20: from phen ( otype) + ( gen) etics