Standard Lemma guide

polythetic

adj · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Having many, but not all properties in common.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • A polythetic taxon is one where the constituent organisms share a large number of characteristics.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *pleh1- Proto-Indo-European *polh1ús Ancient Greek πολῠ́ς (polŭ́s)lbor. English poly- Ancient Greek θέσις (thésis) Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English polythetic From poly- + Ancient Greek θέσις (thésis, “arrangement”) + English -ic.