recessive

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparablebiology

   In genetics, describes a gene or trait that only shows up when both copies of the gene are the recessive type.

   Grammar: Usually used before a noun: recessive gene.

   Patterns

   • recessive gene
   • recessive trait
   • recessive allele

   Blue eyes are a recessive trait, so a child needs two copies of the gene to have blue eyes.

   The condition is caused by a recessive gene, meaning both parents must carry it.

   In his biology class, he learned how recessive alleles can skip generations.

2. 2adjectivenot comparableformal

   Tending to go away or become less noticeable; not dominant.

   Grammar: Used in formal or technical writing, often before a noun: a recessive tendency.

   Patterns

   • recessive tendency

   The disease went into a recessive phase, with very few new cases.

   After the initial surge, the infection showed a recessive pattern.

Common combinations

recessive gene

Cystic fibrosis is caused by a recessive gene.

recessive trait

Red hair is a recessive trait.

recessive allele

An organism must inherit two copies of a recessive allele to show the trait.

recessive inheritance

The disorder follows a recessive inheritance pattern.

Synonyms and how they differ

latent

Means present but not visible or active; recessive is specific to genetics and the idea of not being expressed when a dominant gene is present.

inactive

General word for not working or not active; recessive is a technical term in genetics.

Opposites

Word family

recessiveness noun

The quality or state of being recessive.

Commonly confused: recessive or dominant?

Practice

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