recessive
recessive Lexical Profile
recessive Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to a heritable genetic trait or allele that is expressed in an organism's phenotype only when two copies are inherited, one from each parent, and is masked when paired with a dominant allele.
"Blue eye color is generally considered a recessive trait that requires both parents to pass down the corresponding alleles."
Tending to recede, go backward, or withdraw from a previous position or level of activity, especially in economics or phonology.
"The central bank lowered interest rates to combat the recessive trends threatening the national economy."
• noun
A recessive genetic allele, trait, or an organism possessing and expressing a recessive characteristic.
"Crossbreeding the two hybrid plants produced a predictable ratio of dominants and recessives in the next generation."
• Rhymes for recessive
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-17th century from Latin recessus, the past participle of recedere ('to go back' or 'to withdraw'), plus the suffix -ive. The genetic sense was introduced in 1865 by Gregor Mendel (originally in German as rezessiv) to contrast with dominant traits.