Geneticists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Researchers engaged in examining hereditary traits and genetic diversity within organisms
2. Professionals dedicated to the study of genes, heredity, and the variation of characteristics among living beings
3. Experts who investigate the role and function of genes in living organisms

Etymology: "Geneticist" is a plain formation: the adjective "genetic," meaning "related to genes," with the suffix "-ist," which marks a person following a profession or interest. The suffix travelled a long road to English, passing from Ancient Greek through Latin and Old French before arriving in Middle English, so the ending carries an ancient pedigree even though the word itself is modern. "Genetic" is the element that gives the word its meaning. Genes were named in the twentieth century, so the field of study is young, and "geneticist" follows that same modern pattern. The word "geneticists" is simply the plural form, referring to more than one such expert.

Synonyms: biologists, molecular biologists, genomics experts, heredity researchers, DNA scientists