monophyletic

adjective

mono·​phy·​let·​ic ˌmä-nō-fī-ˈle-tik How to pronounce monophyletic (audio)
: of or relating to a single stock
specifically : developed from a single common ancestral form
monophyly noun

Examples of monophyletic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So, famously, the class of reptiles is not monophyletic. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2010

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monophyletic was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near monophyletic

Cite this Entry

“Monophyletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monophyletic. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

monophyletic

adjective
mono·​phy·​let·​ic ˌmän-ō-fī-ˈlet-ik How to pronounce monophyletic (audio)
: of, relating to, or derived from a single stock
specifically : descending from a single common ancestral form
monophyly noun
plural monophylies
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!