paraphyletic

adjective

para·​phyletic
"+
: of, relating to, or being a taxonomic group that does not include all descendants of a common ancestor

Word History

Etymology

para- entry 1 + phyletic

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paraphyletic was in 1965

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Dictionary Entries Near paraphyletic

Cite this Entry

“Paraphyletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraphyletic. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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