polythetic

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adjective

Having many, but not all properties in common.

“A polythetic taxon is one where the constituent organisms share a large number of characteristics.”

OriginAncient Greek θέσις (thésis) ← English poly- ← Proto-Indo-European *polh₁ús →
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Meanings

adjectivepolythetic (comparative more polythetic, superlative most polythetic)

comparative more polythetic · superlative most polythetic

  1. Having many, but not all properties in common.

    A polythetic taxon is one where the constituent organisms share a large number of characteristics.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*pleh₁-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*polh₁ús
  3. Ancient Greekπολῠ́ς (polŭ́s)
  4. Englishpoly-
  5. Ancient Greekθέσις (thésis)
  6. Englishpolythetic

From poly- + Ancient Greek θέσις (thésis, “arrangement”) + English -ic.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

polythetic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polythetic

MLA

“polythetic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polythetic. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “polythetic,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polythetic.

Source: polythetic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.