GENEALOGY, an enumeration of a series of ancestors; or a summary account of the relations and alliances of a person or family, both in the direct and collateral line.
The word is Greek, γενεαλογία, which is formed of γενος, "race, or lineage," and λογία, "discourse."
In divers chapters and military orders, it is required that
that the candidates produce their genealogy, to shew that they are noble by so many descents.