from
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
homologous
adj 1: having the same evolutionary origin but not necessarily
the same function; "the wing of a bat and the arm of a
man are homologous" [ant: {analogous}, {heterologic},
{heterological}, {heterologous}]
2: corresponding or similar in position or structure or function
or characteristics; especially derived from an organism of
the same species; "a homologous tissue graft" [ant:
{autologous}, {heterologous}]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Homologous \Ho*mol"o*gous\, a. [Gr. ? assenting, agreeing; ? the
same + ? speech, discourse, proportion, ? to say, speak.]
Having the same relative position, proportion, value, or
structure. Especially:
(a) (Geom.) Corresponding in relative position and
proportion.
[1913 Webster]
In similar polygons, the corresponding sides,
angles, diagonals, etc., are homologous. --Davies &
Peck (Math.
Dict.).
(b) (Alg.) Having the same relative proportion or value, as
the two antecedents or the two consequents of a
proportion.
(c) (Chem.) Characterized by homology; belonging to the same
type or series; corresponding in composition and
properties. See {Homology}, 3.
(d) (Biol.) Being of the same typical structure; having like
relations to a fundamental type to structure; as, those
bones in the hand of man and the fore foot of a horse are
homologous that correspond in their structural relations,
that is, in their relations to the type structure of the
fore limb in vertebrates.
[1913 Webster]
{Homologous stimulus}. (Physiol.) See under {Stimulus}.
[1913 Webster]