What does homologic mean?
Homologic is a technical adjective meaning connected with homology, the correspondence between biological structures that derive from a common ancestral form. It is used especially when comparing organs or other features across species, even when those features now have different appearances or functions. For example, a human arm, a bat's wing, and a whale flipper are often described as homologous because their basic skeletal plans reflect shared ancestry. The word should not be confused with analogous, which refers to features that perform similar functions without necessarily sharing the same evolutionary origin. Homologic is related to the more familiar adjectives homologous and homological and is most appropriate in zoology, comparative anatomy, evolutionary biology, and other specialized scientific contexts.
adjectiveRelating to or constituting homology, especially the correspondence of biological structures because they share a common evolutionary origin. The term is most often used in zoology, comparative anatomy, and biology.
- Relating to homology or to structures that share a common evolutionary origin.
"The wing of a bat and the forelimb of a human are homologic structures, despite serving different functions."
"The pectoral fins of fish and the forelimbs of mammals are homologic organs."
"The study compares homologic characters across different species."
A bat's wing and a human arm look radically different, but their bones reveal a homologic connection stretching back to a shared ancestor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of homologic
The word is formed from homologic, an adjective derived from homology, with the suffix -ic. Homology ultimately comes from Greek homologos, meaning “of the same kind” or “having the same relation,” built from homos (“same”) and -logos (“relation,” “word,” or “account”). The biological sense developed through the comparison of corresponding structures in different organisms.
Related word forms
How homologic is actually used
This is a technical term, especially common in biology and comparative anatomy. It is less usual in general writing than the related adjective homologous.
Easily confused with homologic
Homologous describes structures or features that share a common evolutionary origin, while homologic is an adjective relating to homology or to the study of such correspondences.
Analogous structures perform similar functions but need not share the same evolutionary origin, whereas homologic structures are associated through common ancestry.