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.
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.
Homologous stimulus. (Physiol.) See under Stimulus.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |