Langimage
English

clade

|clade|

C1

/kleɪd/

evolutionary branch

Etymology
Etymology Information

'clade' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'klados,' where 'klados' meant 'branch.'

Historical Evolution

'klados' transformed into the English word 'clade' through scientific terminology in the 20th century.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'branch,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a group of organisms with a common ancestor.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a group of organisms believed to have evolved from a common ancestor, according to the principles of cladistics.

The clade of birds includes all modern birds and their extinct relatives.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/05/16 13:31