homoplasy

n. a similarity of form in bodily structures of species that are not descended from a common ancestor (e.g., the body forms of a tuna and a dolphin). This superficial resemblance often arises through the process of convergent evolution because the species live in the same environment. Compare homology. See also analogy. —homoplastic adj.

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Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

dependent events

in probability theory, events that have a relationship such that the outcome of one affects the outcome of the other. For example, overeating and being overweight are dependent events, whereas shoe size and political party preference are most likely not. Compare independent events.