Analogous, a.
Etymology: [L. analogous, Gr. Logic.]
Having analogy; corresponding to something else; bearing some resemblance or proportion; -- often followed by to. Analogous tendencies in arts and manners. De Quincey. Decay of public spirit, which may be considered analogous to natural death. J. H. Newman. nalogous pole (Pyroelect.), that pole of a crystal which becomes positively electrified when heated.
Syn. -- Correspondent; similar; like. -- A*nal"o gous*ly, adv. -- A*nal"o*gous*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for analogous; he lists it under alike.
Where he writes about it:
Things are analogous when they are similar in idea, plan, use, or character, tho perhaps quite unlike in appearance; as, the gills of fishes are said to be analogous to the lungs in terrestrial animals. — from alike