English Reference

Word

homologous

Phoneticsho·mol·o·gous

/hɑˈmɑɫəɡəs/

Definitions

02genetics: matching chromosomes

C1 · Science

adj. describing a pair of chromosomes in a cell that have the same genes in the same order.

adj. denoting a pair of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent, that are identical in gene sequence and structure.

“During cell division, homologous chromosomes pair up before they are separated.”

“The exchange of genetic material occurs between homologous chromosomes during meiosis, ensuring genetic diversity in the resulting gametes.”

Technical

Synonyms

Antonyms

heterologous

03chemistry: series of compounds

C2 · Science

adj. describing a group of chemicals that have a similar structure and follow a regular pattern.

adj. belonging to a series of organic compounds that differ only by a repeating unit, such as a CH2 group.

“Methane and ethane are members of the same homologous series of alkanes.”

“In a homologous series, physical properties like boiling points typically increase predictably as the molecular mass of the compounds grows.”

Technical

04mathematics: corresponding position

C2 · Math

adj. describing parts of different shapes or groups that are in the same relative position.

adj. having the same relative position, proportion, or value within different structures or geometric figures.

“The homologous sides of these two similar triangles have a ratio of two to one.”

“The mapping identifies homologous points between the two topological spaces, preserving the underlying structural relationships during the transformation.”

Technical

Etymology

From Late Latin homologus, from Ancient Greek ὁμόλογος (homólogos, “agreeing, of one mind”), from ὁμός (homós, “same”) + λόγος (lógos, “reason, reckoning”). Compare homo- (“same”) and -ous (adjectival suffix). From 1655, in the mathematical sense. See also homolog, homologue.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domains

BiologyChemistryMathematics

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
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