Skip to main content
nonfraternal

nonfraternal

1 7.7
Twins born from different eggs who are not identical
  • adjective
  • /nɒnˈfrætərnəl/
  • Specialized
: no idéntico
  • She explained that her nonfraternal siblings have different appearances due to their separate genetic backgrounds.

Examples

  • Unlike identical twins, nonfraternal twins do not share the same genetic makeup.

  • BOTH WOMEN ARE NONFRATERNAL SIBLINGS FROM THE SAME FATHER.

  • BERT ZUPANIC AND HIS NONFRATERNAL BIOLOGICAL SIBLING...

  • The twins were nonfraternal, each having a different father.

Synonyms

fraternal
vsnonfraternal
  • Specialized
8 5.9

Twins who come from two different eggs and are not identical

is the same concept but uses a different lexical label
dizygotic
vsnonfraternal
  • Specialized
1 9.1

Twins born from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm and so not identical

is the same concept but appears as a different scientific term
nonidentical
vsnonfraternal
1 5.0

Not exactly the same in one or more ways

is specific to twins from separate fertilized eggs rather than general difference
biovular
vsnonfraternal
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Of twins who come from two different eggs and are not identical

is the same idea but uses a different lexical form
dizygous
vsnonfraternal
  • Specialized
9.9

Twins who come from two separate eggs each fertilized by a different sperm

is the same meaning but uses an alternative scientific label

Surface Forms

nonfraternal positive

Morphology

nonfraternal = fraternal (transparent) = non + fraternal

Biological usage of 'fraternal' (as in 'fraternal twins') is common; 'non-' straightforwardly negates this adjective.

Etymology

Nonfraternal comes from non- 'not' and frater 'brother', a root shared with fraternal and fraternity. So nonfraternal twins are not born from the same egg and are not identical like true 'brother' twins.