lineage
LIN-ee-ij
/ˈlɪn.i.ɪdʒ/
Direct descent from an ancestor; ancestry or pedigree.
Focuses on the biological or formal 'line' of descent, often used in royalty or animal breeding.
The story behind the word. The word literally means 'the drawing of a line.' In medieval times, family trees were often drawn with literal lines connecting parents to children, creating a visual 'lineage.'
Word relationships
- ancestry: Ancestry is the broad group of people you come from; lineage is the specific line connecting you to them.
Commonly confused with
- descendants: Lineage looks backward to ancestors; descendants are the people who come after you.
Word family
- lineal (adjective): In a direct line of descent.
Collocations
- direct lineage
- royal lineage
- trace one's lineage
Example sentences
- "The prince could trace his lineage back to the founding kings of the 10th century." Royal history.
- "DNA testing allowed her to discover a lineage she had never known about." Scientific study.
Memory hook
Lineage is the 'line' of your 'age'. A line through time.
When not to use
Avoid using it for general cultural background; use 'heritage' for that.
Fun facts
- In many cultures, lineage determines who has the right to inherit titles or land.
Explore more words
pedigree, genealogy, hereditary, ancestral, dynasty, descendant
Also appears in
- Relationships → Family & Kinship
- Arts & Literature → Cultural Heritage & Folklore
- Time & History → Ancestry & Heritage
- Demographics & Urban Studies → Fertility Rates & Family Size
- Demographics & Urban Studies → Indigenous Populations
- Sociology & Social Anthropology → Kinship & Descent Systems
- Pets & Animals (Domestic) → Dog Breeds & Pedigrees
- Relationships → In-Laws & Extended Family
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