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polyphyletic

/ˌpɑliˌfaɪˈlɛtɪk/ /ˌpɒlɪˌfaɪˈlɛtɪk/

Meanings
adjective
Having multiple ancestral sources; referring to a taxon that does not contain the most recent common ancestor of its members.

Examples :

"Calling "warm-blooded animals" a group would be polyphyletic because birds and mammals evolved warm-bloodedness independently, not from a single warm-blooded ancestor they both share. "
biology organism science ecology

Related Words

Illustration blooded

blooded verb

/ˈblʌdɪd/ /ˈblʌdəd/

To cause something to be covered with blood; to bloody.

"The stray dog, startled by the car, snapped at the tire and blooded its own nose. "

Illustration ancestral

ancestral adjective

/ænˈsɛs.təɹ.əl/

Of, pertaining to, derived from, or possessed by, an ancestor or ancestors

"an ancestral estate"

Illustration referring

referring verb

/rɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/ /rəˈfɜːrɪŋ/

To direct the attention of.

"The teacher was referring to the homework assignment when she said it was due tomorrow. "

Illustration because

because adverb

/bɪˈkɒz/ /biˈkɔz/

For the reason (that).

"I went to the park because the weather was nice. "

Illustration sources

sources noun

/sɔːsɪz/ /sɔɹsɪz/

The person, place or thing from which something (information, goods, etc.) comes or is acquired.

"The accused refused to reveal the source of the illegal drugs she was selling."

Illustration members

members noun

/ˈmɛmbəz/ /ˈmɛmbɚz/

One who officially belongs to a group.

"All members of the book club must attend the monthly meeting. "

Illustration ancestor

ancestor noun

/ˈæn.sɛs.tə/ /ˈæn.sɛs.tɚ/

One from whom a person is descended, whether on the father's or mother's side, at any distance of time; a progenitor; a forefather.

"My great-grandmother was a talented musician, and I consider her an ancestor. "

Illustration multiple

multiple noun

/ˈmʌltɪpl̩/

A whole number that can be divided by another number with no remainder.

"14, 21 and 70 are multiples of 7"

Illustration calling

calling verb

/ˈkɔːlɪŋ/

(heading) To use one's voice.

"The teacher was calling out names to take their turn answering questions. "

Illustration animals

animals noun

/ˈæn.ɪ.məlz/

In scientific usage, a multicellular organism that is usually mobile, whose cells are not encased in a rigid cell wall (distinguishing it from plants and fungi) and which derives energy solely from the consumption of other organisms (distinguishing it from plants).

"A cat is an animal, not a plant. Humans are also animals, under the scientific definition, as we are not plants."

Illustration independently

independently adverb

/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəntli/

In an independent manner.

"The student completed the project independently, researching and writing the report all by herself. "

Illustration contain

contain verb

/kənˈteɪn/

To hold inside.

"The box contains several important documents. "