Homology

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Homology \Ho*mol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? agreement. See {Homologous}.]
     1. The quality of being homologous; correspondence; relation;
        as, the homologyof similar polygons.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Biol.) Correspondence or relation in type of structure in


        contradistinction to similarity of function; as, the
        relation in structure between the leg and arm of a man; or
        that between the arm of a man, the fore leg of a horse,
        the wing of a bird, and the fin of a fish, all these
        organs being modifications of one type of structure.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Homology indicates genetic relationship, and according
           to Haeckel special homology should be defined in terms
           of identity of embryonic origin. See {Homotypy}, and
           {Homogeny}.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Chem.) The correspondence or resemblance of substances
        belonging to the same type or series; a similarity of
        composition varying by a small, regular difference, and
        usually attended by a regular variation in physical
        properties; as, there is an homology between methane,
        {CH4}, ethane, {C2H6}, propane, {C3H8}, etc., all members
        of the paraffin series. In an extended sense, the term is
        applied to the relation between chemical elements of the
        same group; as, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are said to
        be in homology with each other. Cf. {Heterology}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {General homology} (Biol.), the higher relation which a
        series of parts, or a single part, bears to the
        fundamental or general type on which the group is
        constituted. --Owen.
  
     {Serial homology} (Biol.), representative or repetitive
        relation in the segments of the same organism, -- as in
        the lobster, where the parts follow each other in a
        straight line or series. --Owen. See {Homotypy}.
  
     {Special homology} (Biol.), the correspondence of a part or
        organ with those of a different animal, as determined by
        relative position and connection. --Owen.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  homology
       n : the quality of being similar or corresponding in position or
           value or structure or function

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  42 Moby Thesaurus words for "homology":
     accord, addition, adjunct, affairs, affiliation, affinity,
     alliance, approximation, assemblage, association, bond, closeness,
     combination, connectedness, connection, contiguity, contrariety,
     dealings, deduction, disjunction, filiation, intercourse, intimacy,
     junction, liaison, link, linkage, linking, mutual attraction,
     nearness, propinquity, proximity, rapport, relatedness, relation,
     relations, relationship, similarity, sympathy, tie, tie-in,
     union