analogous

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Latin analogus, from Ancient Greek ᾰ̓νᾰ́λογος (análogos);[1][2] Its English equivalent is analogue +‎ -ous. The application to similar features of organisms is nearly as old as the general sense. Recognizably modern uses of the second sense, distinguishing analogous from homologous, appear in the mid-19th century.[3]

Pronunciation[edit]

Adjective[edit]

analogous (comparative more analogous, superlative most analogous)

  1. Having analogy, the status of an analogue; corresponding to something else; bearing some resemblance or similar proportion (often followed by "to".)
    • 2013 September 20, Martina Hyde, “Is the pope Catholic?”, in The Guardian‎[1]:
      At the very least, it would seem to be tinkering with the formula of the biggest spiritual brand in the world, analogous to Coca-Cola changing its famous recipe in 1985.
    • 1828, Thomas De Quincey, Elements of Rhetoric (review)
      Analogous tendencies in arts and in manners.
    • 1872, John Henry Newman, Historical Sketches:
      Decay of public spirit, which may be considered analogous to natural death.
    Synonyms: correspondent, like, similar, comparable, parallel
  2. (biology) Functionally similar, but arising through convergent evolution rather than being homologous.

Derived terms[edit]

Related terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “analogous”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
  2. ^ “analogous”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
  3. ^ James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928), “Analogous”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volumes I (A–B), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 304, column 1.

Further reading[edit]

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