Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Homologous
Ho-mol′o-gous
,Adj.
[Gr. [GREEK] assenting, agreeing; [GREEK] the same + [GREEK] speech, discourse, proportion, [GREEK] to say, speak.]
Having the same relative position, proportion, value, or structure.
Especially: (a)
(Geom.)
Corresponding in relative position and proportion.
(b)
(Alg.)
Having the same relative proportion or value, as the two antecedents or the two consequents of a proportion.
(c)
(Chem.)
Characterized by homology; belonging to the same type or series; corresponding in composition and properties. See
Homology
, 3. (d)
(Biol.)
Being of the same typical structure; having like relations to a fundamental type to structure; as, those bones in the hand of man and the fore foot of a horse are homologous that correspond in their structural relations, that is, in their relations to the type structure of the fore limb in vertebrates.
Webster 1828 Edition
Homologous
HOMOL'OGOUS
,Adj.
Definition 2024
homologous
homologous
English
Adjective
homologous (comparative more homologous, superlative most homologous)
- Showing a degree of correspondence or similarity.
- (biology) Corresponding to a similar structure in another life form with a common evolutionary origin.
- 1992, Rudolf M. Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, page 4
- Lobules, homologous in structure, recur again only in the Gondwanalandic families Lepidolaenaceae and Jubulopsidaceae thus in the Lepidolaenineae.
- Flippers and hands are homologous structures.
- 1992, Rudolf M. Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, page 4
- (chemistry) Belonging to a series of aliphatic organic compounds that differ only by the addition of a CH2group.
- (genetics) Having the same morphology as another chromosome.
- (biology) Corresponding to a similar structure in another life form with a common evolutionary origin.
Usage notes
- (biology) For a discussion of the use of the term "homology" (and by association "homologous") in biology, see: Patterson, Colin. "Homology in Classical and Molecular Biology." Molecular Biology and Evolution 5, no. 6 (November 1988): 603–625. http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/5/6/603.pdf (accessed 18 December 2009; archived 18 December 2009, http://www.webcitation.org/5m7rn4rCe )
Antonyms
Derived terms
- homologous series
- homologous blood donation
Related terms
Translations
showing a degree of correspondence
(biology) corresponding to a similar structure in another life form
(chemistry) belonging to a series of aliphatic organic compounds