monophyletic

adjective

mono·​phy·​let·​ic ˌmä-nō-fī-ˈle-tik How to pronounce monophyletic (audio)
: of or relating to a single stock
specifically : developed from a single common ancestral form
monophyly
ˈmä-nə-ˌfī-lē How to pronounce monophyletic (audio)
noun

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monophyletic was in 1874

Rhymes for monophyletic

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Browse Nearby Words

monophthongize
monophyletic
monophyletism
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Cite this Entry

“Monophyletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monophyletic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

monophyletic

adjective
mono·​phy·​let·​ic ˌmän-ō-fī-ˈlet-ik How to pronounce monophyletic (audio)
: of, relating to, or derived from a single stock
specifically : descending from a single common ancestral form
monophyly
ˈmän-ə-ˌfī-lē How to pronounce monophyletic (audio)
noun
plural monophylies
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