I. ˈan ə lˌȯg also -äg noun
also an·a·log “
( -s )
Etymology: French analogue, from analogue analogous, from Greek analogos
1. : anything that is analogous or similar to something else : parallel
he would relate the poem to earlier sources and analogues — C.W.Shumaker
2.
a. : an organ similar in function to an organ of another animal or plant but different in structure and origin
the gill of a fish is the analogue of the lung of a cat
— distinguished from homologue
b. : a species in one group corresponding in some particular characters with a member of another group
c. : a species or genus in one country that is closely related to a species of the same genus or a genus of the same group in another country
3. : a previous weather chart that in its main features resembles the current weather chart
II. noun
also analog
1. : a chemical compound that is structurally similar to another but differs slightly in composition (as in the replacement of one atom by an atom of a different element or in the presence of a particular functional group)
2. : a food product made by combining a less expensive food (as soybeans or whitefish) with additives to give the appearance and taste of a more expensive food (as beef or crab meat)