vicariance

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word vicariance. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word vicariance, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say vicariance in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word vicariance you have here. The definition of the word vicariance will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofvicariance, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

From vicariant +‎ -ance.

Noun

vicariance (countable and uncountable, plural vicariances)

  1. (biology) The separation of a group of organisms by a geographic barrier, resulting in differentiation of the original group into new varieties or species.
    • 2018 May 17, Hanneke Meijer, The Guardian:
      Such an old origin for parts of Sulawesi would explain its unique biota and high species richness; species would have rafted along on these fragments from worlds since long lost (a process known as vicariance).
  2. (geology) The geological event which produces such a barrier (volcano, earthquake, etc)
  3. (psychology, colloquial) The act of experiencing an event by proxy through an empathic link with the person who is experiencing the event firsthand.

References

French

Noun

vicariance f (plural vicariances)

  1. vicariance

Further reading