genealogy

ge·ne·al·o·gy

noun \-jē\

plural ge·ne·al·o·gies

Definition of GENEALOGY

1

: an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms

2

: regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor or older form : pedigree

3

: the study of family pedigrees

4

: an account of the origin and historical development of something

— ge·ne·a·log·i·cal \ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl, ˌje-nē-\ adjective

— ge·ne·a·log·i·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of GENEALOGY

1. They've been researching their genealogies.
2. <has a distinguished genealogy that traces back to William the Conqueror>

Origin of GENEALOGY

Middle English genealogie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin genealogia, from Greek, from genea race, family + -logia -logy; akin to Greek genos race

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to GENEALOGY

Synonyms

birth, blood, bloodline, breeding, descent, extraction, family tree, ancestry, line, lineage, origin, parentage, pedigree, stock, strain

Antonyms

issue, posterity, progeny, seed

Related Words

heredity, succession; family, house; kin, kindred, relations, relatives; race

Near Antonyms

offspring; child, heir, inheritor, son, successor

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

Rhymes with GENEALOGY

cosmetology, etymology, martyrology, phraseology, radiology

genealogy

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Study of family origins and history. It is found in most parts of the world and is international in scope. Originally concerned with tracing royal, aristocratic, or clerical lines, genealogy has broadened its scope over the centuries, and many ordinary people now pursue it as a hobby. In preliterate cultures genealogical information was transmitted orally, usually as a list of names; later generations recorded this information. Divine origins were often ascribed to kings and heroes. Modern genealogists use artifacts, including ancient records, coins, deeds, tapestries, paintings, and monuments, to help them in their work.