Phylogeny

[Grogie]

The history or the course of the development of a word, custom etc, etc.

[Perry]

When would you use this, instead of using etymology?

[Grogie]

Hi Perry. I,m not really sure. It was just an interesting word I discovered. Maybe etymology and phylogeny are interchangeable. I,ve also read that ''phylogeny'' only applies to plant and animal species. I,m not sure what to tell you.

[skinem]

For what it's worth (zero) I've only heard applied in the bioogical sense-never havng to do with words.
Thanks again, Grogie!

[Stargzer]

Well, Doc, I believe we've stumbled upon a trio of similar-sounding words for a series of WOTDs.

American Heritage Dictionary:

Phylogeny
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. phy·log·e·nies
1. The evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of organisms. Also called phylogenesis. 2. The evolutionary development of an organ or other part of an organism: the phylogeny of the amphibian intestinal tract. 3. The historical development of a tribe or racial group.
ETYMOLOGY: Greek phūlon, race, class; see phylum + –geny.

BUT ...

philology

SYLLABICATION: phi·lol·o·gy

NOUN: 1. Literary study or classical scholarship. 2. See historical linguistics.
ETYMOLOGY: Middle English philologie, from Latin philologia, love of learning, from Greek philologiā, from philologos, fond of learning or of words : philo-, philo- + logos, reason, speech; see –logy.

... and not to be confused with:

Philogyny is the love/deep admiration for women/womenkind. An antonym of misogyny.