homophone 
We have in English the four homophones rite, write, 
right, and wright. Isaac Taylor, The Alphabet, I. 29. 
3. Same as homophony. 
homophonic (ko-mo-fon'ik), a. [As homopho- 
nous + -ic.] Same as homoplionous. 
homophonous (ho-mof 'o-nus), a. [< Gr. 6/i<tyu- 
vof, oi the same sound or tone : see homophone.'] 
1. Of tlie same pitch; of like sound, specifi- 
cally (a) In anc. music, unisonous ; in unison: opposed 
to antiphonic. (b) In mod. muitic, noting a passage or a 
style in which one part or melody greatly predominates 
in importance over all the others; monodic; monophonic: 
opposed to polyphonic. 
2. Inphilol.: (a) Agreeing in sound but differ- 
ing in sense. See homophone, 2. (6) Expressing 
the same sound or letter with another: as, a ho- 
mophonous hieroglyphic Homophonous words 
or syllables, words or syllables having the same sound, 
although expressed in writing by various combinations of 
letters. 
homophony (ho-mpf'o-ni),n. [=F. liomophonie, 
< Gr. ofioQwvia, unison, < o/;6^jcof, of the same 
sound or tone: see homophone."] 1. Sameness 
of sound. 2. In music: (a) In anc. music, uni- 
son, or music in unison : opposed to antiphony. 
(b) In mod. music, monody; monophony: op- 
posed to polyphony. 
Also homophone. 
homophyadic (ho"mo-fi-ad'ik), a. [< Gr. ouof, 
the same, + MGr. <t>vdf (0ua<5-), a shoot, sucker, 
< ifiveaBai, grow.] In bot., characterized, as spe- 
cies of Equisetum, by the production of only 
one kind of stem, which bears both vegetative 
and fructifying portions. See heterophyadic. 
homophylic (ho-mo-fil'ik), a. [< homophyly + 
-ic.] Characterized by or pertaining to homo- 
phyly. Encyc. Brit., XVI. 845. 
homophyly (ho'mo-fil-i), n. [< Gr. {i/UHpvtla, 
sameness of race, < o/iof , the same, + <j>vM/, race, 
family.] Identity of genetic relationships : op- 
posed to homomorphi&m. 
homoplasmic (ho-ino-plaz'mik), a. [< homo- 
pla-smy + -ic.] Same as homoplastic. 
homoplasmy (ho'mo-plaz-mi), n. [< Gr. 6fi6f, 
the same, + Tr'Ado/ia, a thing molded, < irhdaaew, 
mold, form.] The quality or condition of being 
homoplastic; homomorphism. The term was used 
by Tliiselton Dyer with reference to that mimetic resem- 
blance which may exist, for example, between certain cacti 
and euphorbias. 
homoplast (ho'mo-plast), n. [< Gr. 6/uof, the 
same, + Tr/laaroV, formed, molded, < v'/Maotiv, 
form, mold.] 1. An organ or part correspond- 
ing in external form to another, though of dis- 
tinct nature. 2. That which is homoplastic, 
as any aggregate or fusion of plastids : opposed 
to alloplast. Haeckel. 
homoplastic (ho-mo-plas'tik), a. [As liomo- 
plast + -ic.] In biol. and bot., molded alike, 
or constructed in the same manner, but not 
having the same origin ; analogical or adaptive, 
and not homological, in structure; homomor- 
phous in texture: distinguished from homoge- 
no^ls or homogenetic. Also homoplasmic. 
Darwinian morphology has further rendered necessary 
the introduction of the terms homoplasy and homoplastic 
to express that close agreement in form which may be at- 
tained in the course of evolutional changes by organs or 
parts in two animals which have been subjected to simi- 
lar moulding conditions of the environment, but have no 
genetic community of origin, to account for their close 
similarity in form and structure. Encyc. Brit., XXIV. 808. 
homoplasy (ho'mo-plas-i), n. [< Gr. 6fi6f, the 
same, + irhdatf, a forming, molding, < irh&aoeiv, 
mold, form.] The quality of being homoplas- 
tic ; agreement in form and structure without 
community of origin, as of organs or parts of 
two different organs: opposed to homogeny : 
correlated with analogy or heterology as distin- 
guished from homoloqy in biological senses. 
The conceptions expressed by the terms homoplasy and 
homogeny are little different from those for which analogy 
and homology were earlier and more widely used, as in such 
a familiar instance as that of the wing of the bat being anal- 
ogous to the wing of the butterfly and homologous with 
the fore leg of a horse. But the conceptions now rest upon 
evolutionary considerations, and are more precisely pre- 
dicable, as when an organ of one animal may be similar in 
form as well as function to that of another, and hence 
homoplastic, though having a different origination, and 
hence not homogenetic. See extract under hotnoplastic. 
The existence of these thread-cells is sufficiently re- 
markable, seeing that the Non-Palliate Opisthobrauchs 
resemble in general form and habit the Planarian worms, 
many of which also possess thread-cells. But it is not 
conceivable that their presence is an indication of genetic 
affinity between the two groups, rather they are instances 
of homaplasy. E. R. Lankeiter, Encyc. Brit., XVI. 659. 
homopolar (ho-mo-po'lar), a. [< Gr. 6ft6f, the 
same, + vdhof, pole, +"-nr 3 .] In morphology, 
having equal poles : said of the figures called 
stauraxonia homopola. See stauraxonia. 
homopolic (ho-mo-pol'ik), a. [< Gr. o/i<Sf, the 
same, + n&'fjoc, pole, + -ic.] Same as homopolar. 
2870 
See extract under homaxonial. EIICI/C. Brit.. 
XVI. 845. 
homoproral (ho-mo-pro'ral), a. [< Gr. o/i6f, the 
same, + L. prora, prora: seeproral.] Having 
equal or similar proree, as a pterocymba: op- 
posed to heteroproral. See prora. Sollas. 
homopter (ho-mop'ter), n. A homopterous in- 
sect; one of the Homoptera. Alsohomopteran, 
homopteron. 
Homoptera (ho-mop'te-ra), n. pi. [NL., neut. 
pi. oi homopterus, having like wings: see ho- 
mopterous,] 1. One of the two prime divisions 
of hemipterous insects founded by Latreille in 
1817; a suborder of Hemiptera, contrasted with 
Heteroptera. It contains a very large number of bugs 
of the greatest diversity in form, normally with large 
wings, and hemielytra of like texture throughout (whence 
the name), which are usually folded in a slanting direc- 
tion. They have a blunt^ace with inferior rostrum, eyes 
and ocelli usually present, antenna; commonly inserted in 
a depression below the eyes, and legs adapted for either 
walking or leaping. The group is often elevated to the 
rank of an order. It is principally composed of the Cica- 
dariai, of which the families are numerous, as Cicadidce, 
Fulgorldoe, Membracidai, Cercovidat, etc. ; but it contains 
also the aphids or plant-lice, the coccids or scale-insects, 
the Aleurodidce, and Psyllidce, which are often grouped 
under the name Phytophthiria. 
2. A group coextensive with the preceding, 
except that the Phytophthiria are excluded. 
Aucheiwrhynchi is a synonym of Homoptera in 
this sense. 
homopteran (ho-mop'te-ran), n. Same as ho- 
mopter. 
homopteron (ho-mop'te-ron), n. Same as ho- 
mopttr. 
homopterous (ho-mop'te-rus), a. [< NL. ho- 
mopterns, < Gr. 6/iorcTEpof" of or with the same 
plumage (having like wings), < ofi6(, the same, 
+ m-epov, wing, feather.] Having wings of the 
same or like texture throughout ; specifically, 
pertaining to or having the characters of the 
Homoptera. 
homoquinine (ho'mo-ki-nen'), n. [< Gr. o/iof, 
the same, + E. quinine, q. v.] A natural alka- 
loid found in cinchona. 
Homoraphidae (ho-mo-raf'i-de), n. pi. [NL., 
< Gr. 6/i6f, the same, + pa^if, a needle, < pd- 
KTtiv, sew, + -idee.'] A large family of marine 
sponges, of the suborder Halichondrina and 
the order Cornacuspongiw. By Lendenfeld it 
is divided into numerous subfamilies and even 
lesser groups. 
homorgan (ho'mor-gan), n. [< Gr. o/idf, the 
same, + bpyavav, organ.] In morphology, a simi- 
larly organized part ; a homoplast: distinguish- 
ed from alloplast. Haeckel. Also homo-organ. 
homorganic (ho-mor-gan'ik), a. [< Gr. 6fi6f, 
the same, + opyavov, organ, + -ic.~\ 1. Similarly 
organized. 2. Produced by the same organs. 
It is maintained by some ancient grammarians that the 
hard aspirates are the hard letters k, t, p, together with 
the corresponding winds or homorganic winds. 
Max Mutter, Sci. of Lang., 2d ser., p. 161. 
homoseismal (ho-mo-sls'mal), n. and a. [< 
Gr. 6/iof, the same, -t- aeta[i6f, an earthquake: 
see seismic.] I. n. The curve uniting points 
at which an earthquake-wave synchronously 
reaches the earth's surface: the equivalent of 
the German homoseiste, a term introduced into 
seismological science by K. von Seebach to 
replace the hybrid term coseismal, used by cer- 
tain seismologists writing in English. 
II. a. Pertaining to or having the character 
of such a curve. 
homoseismic (ho-mo-sis'mik), a. Same as 
homoseismal. 
homosporous (ho-mos'po-rus), a. [< Gr. 6fi6f, 
similar, + cjrdpof, seed.] Having only one kind 
of asexually produced spores. See heterospo- 
rous. 
homostaura (ho-mo-sta'ra), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. 
6/;<ip, the same, + aravpof, a cross.] Homostau- 
ral figures, collectively considered. 
The simpler group, the Homostaura, may have either an 
even or an odd number of sides. Encyc. Brit., XVI. 844. 
homostaural (ho-mo-sta'ral), a. [As homo- 
staura + -al.] In morphology, having a regu- 
lar polygon as the base of a pyramidal figure : 
applied to the figures called stauraxonia homo- 
pola: distinguished from Jieterostaural. See 
stauraxonia. 
homostyled (ho'mo-stild), a. [< Gr. t>i*6(, the 
same, + <rri/lof, pillar: see style^.] In bot., hav- 
ing styles of the same length and character : 
opposed to heterostyled. Darwin. 
homotatic (ho-mo-tat'ik), a. [< Gr. o/tdf, the 
same, + rdaif (TOT-), strain, stress, < reiveiv, 
stretch.] In mech., pertaining to a homogene- 
ous stress Homotatic coefficients, fifteen coeffi- 
homotypal 
cients of the equation of a certain biquadratic surface, 
upon which the axes of direct elasticity of a body depend. 
homotaxeous (ho-mo-tak'se-us), a. [< homo- 
taxis + -e-os.] Same as homotaxial. 
homotaxial (ho-mo-tak'si-al), a. [< homotaxis 
+ -al.] Of or pertaining to homotaxis; ingeol., 
similarly disposed or arranged with reference 
to the order of succession ot the overlying and 
underlying groups of fossiliferous strata, but 
not necessarily contemporaneous. Also homo- 
toxic, homotaxeous. 
When . . . the [geological] formations of distant coun- 
tries are compared, all that we can safely affirm regarding 
them is that those containing the same or a representa- 
tive assemblage of organic remains belong to the same 
epoch in the history of biological "progress in each area. 
They are homotaxial; but we cannot assert that they 
are contemporaneous, unless we are prepared to include 
within that term a vague period of perhaps thousands of 
years. Oeikie, Encyc. Brit., X. 323. 
homotaxially (ho-mo-tak'si-al-i), adv. In re- 
gard to or by homotaxis ; with similar arrange- 
ment. 
These Jurassic strata are evidently not homotaxially re- 
lated to the other North American strata which have by 
some authors been referred to the Jurassic. 
Amer. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., XXIX. 232. 
homotazic (ho-mo-tak'sik), a. [The proper 
form would be 'homotactic, < homotaxis (-tact-) 
+ -ic.] Same as homotaxial. Huxley. 
homotaxis (ho-mo-tak'sis), n. [NL., < Gr. Afi6f, 
the same, + rafif, arrangement.] A term in- 
troduced into geology by Huxley, to express 
the idea of similarity of arrangement or of or- 
der in the fossiliferous deposits of various 
regions, while not necessarily including that 
of contemporaneity in the same: opposed to 
heterotaxis. 
But the moment the geologist has to do with large areas 
or with completely separated deposits, then the mischief 
of confounding that "homotaxi*!" or "similarity of ar- 
rangemenV which can be demonstrated, with "syn- 
chrony" or "identity of date," for which there is not a 
shadow of proof, under the one common term of "contem- 
poraneity becomes incalculable. 
Huxley, Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc., 1862, No. 24, p. xlvL 
homotaxy (ho'mo-tak-si), . [< NL. homotaxis, 
a. v.] Same as homotaxis. 
Homothalameae (h6"mo-tha-la'me-e), n. pi. 
[NL. , < Gr. 6[t6f , the same, + fla/a^of , a bed-cham- 
ber.] A division of lichens proposed by S. F. 
Gray, 1821, including his orders Collematidete, 
JJsneadece, and Bamalinidea;. These with others 
are placed by Tuckerman in the Parmeliacei. 
hpmothermous (ho-mo-ther'mus), a. [< Gr. 
6/161;, the same, + Of/tiai, heat.] Having the 
same bodily temperature ; preserving the same 
degree of animal heat. 
Such homothermous animals as whales, seals, walrus. 
7. C. Rosse, Cruise of Corwin (1881), p. 12. 
homothetic (ho-mo-thet'ik), a. [< Gr. 6/16$, the 
same, + fcrof, verbal adj. of riBevai, put, place : 
see thesis.] In geom., similar and similarly 
placed ; in homology with reference to the line 
at infinity as axis of homology. 
homotonous (ho-mot'o-nus), a. [< L. homoto- 
nus, of the same tension, < Gr. o/torovof, of the 
same tone, < 6//6f, the same, + rovof, tone.] Of 
the same tenor or tone; equable: applied to 
diseases which have a uniform tenor of rise, 
state, or declension. 
homotony (ho-mot'o-ni), n. [< Gr. as if *o,uo- 
rovla, < 6/i6Toi>of, of the same tone : see homot- 
onous.] The act of maintaining the same tone ; 
monotony. [Rare.] 
Thomson has often fallen into the honiotony of the cou- 
plet. Langhorne, Effusions of Friendship. 
homotropal (ho-mot'ro-pal), a. [As homotro- 
pous + -al.] Same as ' hoinotropous. 
homotropOUS (ho-mot'ro-pus), a. [< Gr. dfiorpo- 
Trof, having the same turn, < 6/i6f, the same, + 
rpfaof, turn, direction, < rpe- 
KCIV, turn.] Turned in the 
same direction as some other 
body, or directed in the same 
way as the body to which it 
belongs; specifically, in bot., 
curved or turned in one di- 
rection : applied also to the 
embryo of an anatropous 
or a campylotropous seed, in 
which the radicle is next the 
hilum. Gray. This term, which was early introduced 
by Richard, is synonymous with vrthotropoux as used by 
him : an unfortunate confusion, the ovule and the embryo 
being designated by the same term. It is, moreover, super- 
fluous when the ovule or seed is stated to be anatropous 
or orthotropous. 
homotypal (ho'mo-ti-pal), a. [< homotype + 
-al.] Same as homotypic. 
lotropous Seed 
ho- 
