Allelic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Referring to alternative versions of a gene that occupy the same position on homologous chromosomes
2. Signifying the specific variations in a gene that can lead to different traits or characteristics
3. Pertaining to the distinct forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome

Etymology: "Allele," the base of this word, names one of the alternative forms a gene can take. The suffix "-ic" turns it into an adjective meaning "relating to" or "of the nature of," so allelic describes things relating to alleles, such as genes competing for the same position on paired chromosomes. The suffix has a long ancestry. It descends from a Proto-Indo-European element "-kos," which passed into Proto-Italic as "-ikos" and then into Latin as "-icus." From Latin it reached English through Old French "-ique," appearing in Middle English as "-ik" before taking its modern "-ic" form. Countless English adjectives end this way, such as "atomic" and "public," so this term belongs to a large and familiar group.

Synonyms: genetic, hereditary