analogous
/əˈnæl.ə.ɡəs/
adjective
Origin
Ancient Greek
ἀνάλογος (análogos) — proportionate
Overview
Meaning Now
- Comparable or similar in certain respects, especially in a way that makes clearer the nature of the things compared.
- Biology: Relating to organs or body parts that perform a similar function but have a different evolutionary origin (contrasted with homologous).
Literal older meaning
having a due ratio or proportion
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
analogous
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term entered the English language in the 17th century, initially used in a mathematical or philosophical sense regarding proportions. By the mid-19th century, it took on its specific biological meaning, becoming critical in the field of comparative anatomy to distinguish functional similarity from structural homology.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
ἀνάλογος (análogos)
“according to proportion”
Formed from preposition 'ana' (up/according to) and 'logos' (reckoning/ratio).
- Latin
analogus
“proportionate”
Adopted into Late Latin from Greek.
- English
analogous
“comparable”
Formed in English with the suffix '-ous' attached to the earlier base 'analogue'.
Connections
Word parts
ana-
prefix
according to
log-
root
ratio/word
-ous
suffix
having the quality of
Related across languages
French
analogue
similar/analogous
German
analog
analogous
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Related to analogous
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.