The ability to be able to identify, a priori, character states that are ancestral and those that are derived This is usually not possible with molecular data
po·lar·ize polarizes polarizing polarized in BRIT, also use polarise If something polarizes people or if something polarizes, two separate groups are formed with opposite opinions or positions. Missile deployment did much to further polarize opinion in Britain As the car rental industry polarizes, business will go to the bigger companies + polarized po·lar·ized Since Independence the electorate has been polarized equally between two parties. + polarization po·lari·za·tion There is increasing polarization between the blacks and whites in the US. to divide into clearly separate groups with opposite beliefs, ideas, or opinions, or to make people do this
become polarized in a conflict or contrasting situation cause to concentrate about two conflicting or contrasting positions cause to vibrate in a definite pattern; "polarize light waves