polyphyletic
|pol-y-phy-let-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌpɑːli.faɪˈlɛtɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌpɒlɪ.faɪˈlɛtɪk/
from many origins
Etymology
'polyphyletic' originates from Greek elements: 'poly-' meaning 'many' and roots related to 'phylon'/'phylē' meaning 'tribe' or 'race', with the adjectival formation '-etic' (relating to).
'polyphyletic' was formed in scientific taxonomy by combining 'poly-' + 'phyletic' (from Greek-derived 'phyly/phyletic' relating to lineage) and entered modern biological usage in the 20th century to describe groups with multiple evolutionary origins.
Initially and still used to mean 'having multiple evolutionary origins' (i.e., composed of organisms from more than one ancestral source); the core meaning has been maintained within evolutionary biology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or denoting a group of organisms that are derived from more than one common evolutionary ancestor or ancestral group; not forming a natural (monophyletic) group.
Molecular studies showed the genus was polyphyletic, so taxonomists revised its classification.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/24 12:10