homologous etymology

Etymology

The word "homologous" is derived from Greek:

  • homos (ὁμός) = "same"
  • logos (λόγος) = "word", "idea", "reason"

Meaning

Homologous refers to structures or traits that have the same origin, but may have different functions.

Origin

The term "homology" was first used in biology by the German anatomist Richard Owen in 1843. Owen observed that certain structures in different animals, such as the forelimbs of humans and wings of birds, shared a common developmental origin, even though they served different purposes.

Usage

In biology, homology is used to compare structures that:

  • Develop from the same embryonic tissue
  • Have the same genetic basis
  • Occupy similar positions in different organisms

Homologous structures provide evidence for the theory of evolution, as they suggest that different species have descended from a common ancestor.

In linguistics, homology refers to:

  • The correspondence between words in different languages that have the same origin
  • The common ancestor from which those words are derived

For example, the English word "brother" and the Spanish word "hermano" are homologous, sharing the same Proto-Indo-European root.

homologous relate terms

  • homologize

    Etymology From Greek homologos ὁμόλογος meaning agreeing corresponding s

  • homologous

    Etymology The word homologous is derived from Greek homos ὁμός same logos

  • homo

    Etymology The word homo comes from the Latin word homō meaning human being or man

  • hetero

    Etymology The term hetero is derived from the Greek word heteros which means differ

  • analogous

    Etymology The word analogous is derived from the Greek words ana meaning up and

  • Logos

    Etymology The word logos comes from the Ancient Greek word λόγος lógos meani

  • connotation

    Etymology From Late Latin connotatio from Latin connotare meaning to note together

  • arcane

    Etymology Latin arcanus hidden secret mysterious Late Latin arcanum mystery

  • Creole

    Etymology The word creole is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese word criollo wh

  • anxiety

    Etymology The word anxiety comes from the Latin word anxietas which means anxiety

  • disaster

    Etymology The word disaster comes from the Middle French word desastre which in turn

  • republic

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word res publica literally meaning public thing or