rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryfraternalTwins from separate eggs
adjective

fraternal

Developing from separate fertilized eggs.

The sisters are fraternal twins.

Etymology
fraternLatinbrother
+alEnglishrelating to

Fraternal means brotherly or relating to siblings. Fraternal twins are siblings conceived together from separate eggs, rather than two individuals formed from one fertilized egg.

More examples

  • Fraternal twins develop from separate fertilized eggs.
  • The study compared identical and fraternal twins.
  • Her fraternal twin brother attends the same school.

Forms

fraternal

Similar words

dizygotic
Dizygotic is the technical equivalent: developing from two separate fertilized eggs.
identical
Identical twins arise from one fertilized egg; fraternal twins arise from separate eggs.