phylogeny

[ fahy-loj-uh-nee ]
/ faɪˈlɒdʒ ə ni /

noun

the development or evolution of a particular group of organisms.
the evolutionary history of a group of organisms, especially as depicted in a family tree.
Also phy·lo·gen·e·sis [fahy-luh-jen-uh-sis] /ˌfaɪ ləˈdʒɛn ə sɪs/.
Compare ontogeny.

Origin of phylogeny

First recorded in 1865–70; phylo- + -geny

OTHER WORDS FROM phylogeny

phy·lo·ge·net·ic [fahy-luh-juh-net-ik] /ˌfaɪ lə dʒəˈnɛt ɪk/, phy·lo·ge·net·i·cal, phy·lo·gen·ic, adjective phy·lo·ge·net·i·cal·ly, adverb phy·log·e·nist, noun

Example sentences from the Web for phylogenesis

  • A similar connection determines the relation between ontogenesis and phylogenesis.

  • We have concentrated the full force of our discussion upon an example drawn from phylogenesis.

    Creative Evolution |Henri Bergson
  • The ontogenesis of any given living organism is a short, condensed recapitulation of its ancestral history or of its phylogenesis.

    The Last Link |Ernst Haeckel

British Dictionary definitions for phylogenesis

phylogeny

phylogenesis (ˌfaɪləʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs)

/ (faɪˈlɒdʒɪnɪ) /

noun plural -nies or -geneses (-ˈdʒɛnɪˌsiːz)

biology the sequence of events involved in the evolution of a species, genus, etc Compare ontogeny

Derived forms of phylogeny

phylogenic (ˌfaɪləʊˈdʒɛnɪk) or phylogenetic (ˌfaɪləʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for phylogeny

C19: from phylo- + -geny

Medical definitions for phylogenesis (1 of 2)

phylogenesis
[ fī′lō-jĕnĭ-sĭs ]

n.

phylogeny

Medical definitions for phylogenesis (2 of 2)

phylogeny
[ fī-lŏjə-nē ]

n.

The evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of organisms. phylogenesis
The evolutionary development of an organ or other part of an organism.

Other words from phylogeny

phy′lo•genic (-jĕnĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for phylogenesis

phylogeny
[ fī-lŏjə-nē ]

The evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of organisms.