Dizygotic

/ˌdaɪzɪˈɡɑːtɪk/ adjective

Definition

Describing twins that develop from two separate fertilized eggs (fraternal twins), as opposed to identical twins from one egg.

Etymology

From prefix di- (two) plus zygotic (relating to a zygote, from Greek zygon meaning 'yoke' or 'joined'), literally meaning 'two yokes' or 'two joined eggs.'

Kelly Says

Dizygotic twins are the reason why some twins look completely different—they started as two completely separate eggs, so they're genetically no more similar than regular siblings!

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