Definition
phylesis
noun
- The evolutionary development or history of a species or trait; phylogeny.
Usage: technical; biology
Examples
- The phylesis of the horse family shows a gradual increase in body size over millions of years.
- Scientists study phylesis to understand how modern organisms evolved from ancient ancestors.
- The phylesis of bird wings reveals their origin from theropod dinosaur forelimbs.
- Understanding phylesis helps paleontologists reconstruct the evolutionary tree of life.