parsimony principle

proper noun

The hypothesis that the phylogeny which includes the fewest character changes is the one most likely to be correct.

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Meanings

proper nounthe parsimony principle
  1. evolutionary biologyThe hypothesis that the phylogeny which includes the fewest character changes is the one most likely to be correct.
Cite this entry
APA

parsimony principle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/parsimony%20principle

MLA

“parsimony principle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/parsimony%20principle. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “parsimony principle,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/parsimony%20principle.

Source: parsimony principle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.