family-tree theory

fam·i·ly-tree the·ory

[fam-uh-lee tree, fam-lee-]
noun Historical Linguistics.
a theory that describes language change in terms of genetically related languages developing in successive splits from a common parent language, such as Indo-European, as depicted by a family tree diagram.
Compare wave theory.


Origin:
1930–35

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Family-tree theory is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
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