1. the relationship between a child and parent; descent from a parent or ancestor
Usage: formal
2. the formation of a new branch or subsidiary organization from a parent organization
Usage: formal; business
3. the relationship between things that are derived from a common source
Usage: formal; academic

Examples

• The court established the child’s filiation to determine inheritance rights.
• Legal documents proved his filiation to the wealthy merchant family.
• The company’s filiation from the original corporation was clearly documented.
• Scholars studied the filiation between the ancient manuscripts.
• The filiation of ideas can be traced through centuries of philosophical thought.
• DNA testing confirmed the biological filiation between father and son.