lineage
UK: ˈlɪn.i.ɪdʒ | US: ˈlɪn.i.ɪdʒ
n. direct descent from an ancestor; ancestry or pedigree
n. a sequence of species or organisms evolving from a common ancestor
n. (computing) a series of related data or code structures
The word "lineage" traces back to Middle English, derived from Old French lignage, which itself comes from Latin linea ("line, thread"). The root "line" metaphorically represents a continuous thread of descent, while the suffix "-age" (from Latin -aticum) denotes a collective or relational quality. The term originally emphasized the unbroken "line" of familial descent, later expanding to biological and computational contexts.
Her lineage can be traced back to European royalty.
Scientists studied the lineage of the virus to understand its mutations.
The software’s code lineage reveals its open-source origins.
He takes pride in his noble lineage.
The museum displayed artifacts showing the cultural lineage of the region.