homoplasy
noun
ho·mo·pla·sy ˈhō-mə-ˌplā-sē 
ˈhä-,
-ˌpla-;
hō-ˈmä-plə-sē
plural homoplasies
evolutionary biology
: correspondence or similarity in form or function between parts of different species or lineages that is not attributable to common ancestry but is the result especially of parallel or convergent evolution in similar environments or ecological niches compare analogy, homology
Word History
First Known Use
1870, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
homoplasy
noun
ho·mo·pla·sy ˈhō-mə-ˌplā-sē ˈhäm-ə- -ˌplas-ē; hō-ˈmäp-lə-sē
ˈhäm-ə- -ˌplas-ē; hō-ˈmäp-lə-sē : correspondence between parts or organs acquired as the result of parallel evolution or convergence