Meaning
A theoretical unit of heredity of living organisms which may take several values and (in principle) predetermines a precise trait of an organism's form (phenotype), such as hair color.
Etymology
Origin: Ancient Greek
From German Gen, from Ancient Greek γενεά (geneá, “generation, descent”), from the aorist infinitive of γίγνομαι (gígnomai, “to come into being”). Coined by Danish botanist Wilhelm Ludwig Johannsen in 1909, in a German-language publication, from the last syllable of pangene.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 40 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-08-30ECGINTX
- 2026-08-07GDEINPX
- 2026-05-21GAHDCEN
- 2026-05-02GBNEDLO
- 2026-04-07GDNFELU
- 2026-03-16NCELGIX
- 2026-03-04GCEFINT
- 2026-02-06EAMGCIN
- 2026-01-22GATMENU
- 2025-12-20GNAMEDL
- 2025-11-25EAONLGH
- 2025-11-20EYGUTNI
+28 earlier appearances in the archive.