Definition

1. Noun:
   • Direct descent from an ancestor; ancestry or pedigree: "Lineage" refers to the line of descendants from a common ancestor, emphasizing direct family descent.
   • A sequence of species, organisms, or cells that are descended from a common ancestor: In biology, "lineage" denotes a line of evolutionary descent.
   • A group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor, especially when the relationships are recorded: This meaning highlights the recorded or known family line.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • She can trace her lineage back to the 16th century. (She can trace her direct family descent back to the 16th century.)
  • The royal lineage was documented in great detail. (The royal ancestry was documented in great detail.)
  • Scientists studied the evolutionary lineage of the species. (Scientists studied the line of evolutionary descent of the species.)

Advanced Usage

• "In the lineage of": being in the direct line of descent or tradition from someone or something.
  • The artist is considered in the lineage of the great Renaissance masters. (The artist is considered to be in the direct artistic tradition of the great Renaissance masters.)
• "Matrilineal/patrilineal lineage": descent traced through the mother's or father's line, respectively.
  • In some cultures, property is inherited through matrilineal lineage. (In some cultures, property is inherited through the mother's line.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lineal (adj): Related to direct descent in a line from an ancestor.
  • He is a lineal descendant of the founder.
• Lineage group (n): A social group whose members claim descent from a common ancestor.
• Collateral lineage: Descent from a common ancestor but not in a direct line (e.g., through siblings of an ancestor).

Synonyms

• Ancestry: One's family or ethnic descent.
• Descent: The origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality.
• Pedigree: The recorded ancestry, especially of a purebred animal.
• Genealogy: The study and tracing of lines of descent.

Antonyms

• Non-descent: Lack of a line of descent from a particular ancestor.
• Unrelatedness: The state of not being connected by family ties.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Line of descent": A synonym often used interchangeably with "lineage."
• "Family tree": A diagram showing the relationships between people in a family across generations, illustrating lineage.
• "Bloodline": A synonym emphasizing direct biological descent.

Noun

1. inherited properties shared with others of your bloodline
2. a rate of payment for written material that is measured according to the number of lines submitted
3. the number of lines in a piece of printed material
4. the kinship relation between an individual and the individual's progenitors
5. the descendants of one individual
   • his entire lineage has been warriors