Background for recessive

recessive

/rɪˈsɛsɪv/

Illustration recessive - Image 1

noun

A gene that is recessive.

Examples :

"In genetics, a recessive can only express its trait if two copies of it are present. "

biology medicine organism science biochemistry physiology family

Illustration recessive - Image 1

adjective

Going back; receding.

Examples :

"The recessive tide revealed the sandy beach that was hidden earlier. "

Illustration recessive - Image 1

adjective

Able to be masked by a dominant allele or trait.

Examples :

"Even though both parents carried the gene for blue eyes, their child had brown eyes because the blue-eye gene is recessive and was masked by the dominant brown-eye gene. "

biology medicine organism family

Illustration recessive - Image 1

adjective

(by extension) Not dominant; whose effect is masked by stronger effects.

Examples :

"Even though both parents carried the gene for blue eyes, their child has brown eyes because the brown-eye gene is dominant, and the blue-eye gene is recessive. "

biology medicine