cla·dis·tics
klə-ˈdi-stiks
kla-
plural in form but singular in construction
: a system of biological taxonomy that defines taxa uniquely by shared characteristics not found in ancestral groups and uses inferred evolutionary relationships to arrange taxa in a branching hierarchy such that all members of a given taxon have the same ancestors
plural -s
: a taxonomist who adheres to the cladistic system of classification
Cite this Entry
“Cladistics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cladistics. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.
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