Multigenic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Involving the influence of several genes on a specific characteristic or trait occurs through their collective interaction to shape phenotypic outcomes
2. Pertaining to multiple genes that collectively shape a particular trait or characteristic through their interactions and combined effects on phenotypes
3. Relating to a trait controlled by the combined effect of several genes

Etymology: Multigenic is a plainly built technical term: "multi-" from Latin "multus" meaning "many," joined to "-genic," a combining form from Greek "genos" meaning "birth, origin, kind," which in English produces adjectives meaning "producing" or "relating to" something. Put together, it describes a trait or condition that arises from the combined action of many genes rather than a single one. Geneticists use the word for traits such as height, skin colour or risk of common diseases, where no single gene decides the outcome. Each gene typically contributes a small effect, and their sum shapes the result. The term is therefore a descriptive label for a pattern of inheritance rather than a name for any one gene or disease.