# cladistics

> English word · Noun · IPA /kləˈdɪs.tɪks/

## Definitions
1. An approach to biological systematics in which organisms are grouped based upon synapomorphies (shared derived characteristics) only, and not upon symplesiomorphies (shared ancestral characteristics); a method of classifying organisms based on their evolutionary relationships instead of superficial characteristics.

## Etymology
From clade + -istic, from Ancient Greek κλάδος (kládos, “branch”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cladistics