adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ pä-l ē -( ˌ )f ī - ' le-tik
Function: adjective
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek polyphylos of many tribes, from poly- + phyl ē tribe ― more at PHYL-
Date: 1875
: of, relating to, or derived from different ancestral stocks specifically : relating to or being a taxonomic group that includes members (as genera or species) from different ancestral lineages
– poly · phy · let · i · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb