polyphyletic

adjective

poly·​phy·​let·​ic ˌpä-lē-(ˌ)fī-ˈle-tik 

: of, relating to, or derived from more than one ancestral stock

specifically : relating to or being a taxonomic group that includes members (such as genera or species) from different ancestral lineages

polyphyletically

ˌpä-lē-(ˌ)fī-ˈle-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek polyphylos of many tribes, from poly- + phylē tribe — more at phyl-

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

polyphyletic

adjective

poly·​phy·​let·​ic ˌpäl-i-(ˌ)fī-ˈlet-ik 

: of or relating to more than one stock

specifically : derived from more than one ancestral line

polyphyletically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb