polygene

[ pol-ee-jeen ]
/ ˈpɒl iˌdʒin /

noun Genetics

one of a group of nonallelic genes that together control a quantitative characteristic in an organism.
Also called multiple factor, quantitative gene.

Origin of polygene

1940–45; back formation from polygenic; see poly-, gene, -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM polygene

pol·y·gen·ic [pol-ee-jen-ik] /ˌpɒl iˈdʒɛn ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby polygene

polygamic, polygamist, polygamophile, polygamous, polygamy, polygene, polygenesis, polygenetic, polygenic, polygenic inheritance, polygenism

British Dictionary definitions for polygenic (1 of 2)

polygenic
/ (ˌpɒliˈdʒɛnik) /

adjective

of, relating to, or controlled by polygenes polygenic inheritance

British Dictionary definitions for polygenic (2 of 2)

polygene
/ (ˈpɒlɪˌdʒiːn) /

noun

any of a group of genes that each produce a small quantitative effect on a particular characteristic of the phenotype, such as height

Medical definitions for polygenic (1 of 2)

polygenic
[ pŏl′ē-jĕn′ĭk ]

adj.

Relating to a characteristic or disease controlled by the interaction of genes at more than one locus.

Medical definitions for polygenic (2 of 2)

polygene
[ pŏl′ē-jēn′ ]

n.

One of a group of nonallelic genes acting together to produce quantitative variations of a particular character.