adjective
- having analogy; corresponding in some particular: A brain and a computer are analogous.
- Biology. corresponding in function, but not evolved from corresponding organs, as the wings of a bee and those of a hummingbird.
adjective
- similar or corresponding in some respect
- biology (of organs and parts) having the same function but different evolutionary originthe paddle of a whale and the fin of a fish are analogous Compare homologous (def. 4)
- linguistics formed by analogyan analogous plural
1640s, from Latin analogus, from Greek analogos “proportionate, according to due proportion” (see analogy).
adj.
- Similar in function but not in structure and evolutionary origin.
- Similar in function but having different evolutionary origins, as the wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird.
- Similar in chemical properties and differing in chemical structure only with respect to one element or group.