ˌfilēˈāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English filiacioun, from Late Latin filiation-, filiatio, from Latin filius + -ation-, -atio -ation
1.
a. : relationship especially of a son to his father
b. : the relationship between a parent and a child whether legitimate or illegitimate
2. : one that is derived from a parent or source : offshoot
filiations from a common stock
3.
a. : the act or action of determining relationship
a scholar's careful filiation of manuscripts
b. : adjudication of paternity : affiliation
4. : descent from or as if from a parent
to determine the filiation of a language
5. : the formation of branches or offshoots