recessive (B2)
adjective
Pronunciation: /rɪˈsesɪv/
Definition
Describes a gene or trait that is masked by a dominant gene or trait when both are present, and only shows its effect when two copies of the same gene are inherited.
Examples
The gene for blue eyes is recessive, meaning you need two copies of it to have blue eyes.
Some plant diseases are caused by recessive alleles.
He inherited the recessive gene for red hair from both parents.
How to Use recessive
- recessive gene (collocation)
- A gene that is only expressed when two copies are present. — "The child inherited the recessive gene for cystic fibrosis from each parent."
- recessive trait (collocation)
- A characteristic that is only displayed when the individual has two copies of the recessive allele. — "Albinism is a recessive trait that appears in about 1 in 17,000 people."
- recessive allele (collocation)
- An allele that produces its characteristic phenotype only when its contrasting allele on a homologous chromosome is absent. — "The presence of a dominant allele prevents the recessive allele from being expressed."
Synonyms of recessive
Words with a similar meaning to recessive:
Antonyms of recessive
Words with the opposite meaning to recessive:
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