allele

Meanings

Plural: alleles

Noun

(genetics) either of a pair (or series) of alternative forms of a gene that can occupy the same locus on a particular chromosome and that control the same character
- "some alleles are dominant over others"
One of a number of alternative forms of the same gene occupying a given position, or locus, on a chromosome.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from German Allel, shortened from Allelomorph, from English allelomorph. Ultimately from the Ancient Greek prefix ἀλληλ- (allēl-) from ἄλλος (állos, “other”).

Synonyms

allelomorph

Scrabble Score: 6

allele is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
allele is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
allele is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

allele is a valid Words With Friends word