epistasis

[ ih-pis-tuh-sis ]

/ ɪˈpɪs tə sɪs /

noun, plural e·pis·ta·ses [ih-pis-tuh-seez] /ɪˈpɪs təˌsiz/.

Genetics. a form of interaction between nonallelic genes in which one combination of such genes has a dominant effect over other combinations.

Medicine/Medical.

the stoppage of a secretion or discharge.
a scum that forms on a urine specimen upon standing.

Nearby words

Origin of epistasis

First recorded in 1915–20, epistasis is from the Greek word epístasis stopping, stoppage. See epi-, stasis

Related formsep·i·stat·ic

[ep-uh-stat-ik] /ˌɛp əˈstæt ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for epistasis

epistasis

/ (ɪˈpɪstəsɪs) /

noun

obsolete scum on the surface of a liquid, esp on an old specimen of urine

med the arrest or checking of a bodily discharge, esp bleeding

Also called: hypostasis genetics the suppression by a gene of the effect of another gene that is not its allele

Derived Formsepistatic (ˌɛpɪˈstætɪk), adjective

Word Origin for epistasis

C19: from Greek: a stopping, from ephistanai to stop, from epi- + histanai to put

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for epistasis

epistasis

medical Latin, from Greek epistasis "a stopping, stoppage," from epi "upon" (see epi-) + stasis "a stopping or standing" (see stasis).

Medicine definitions for epistasis

epistasis

[ ĭ-pĭs′tə-sĭs ]

n. pl. e•pis•ta•ses (-sēz′)

A film that forms over the surface of a urine specimen.

An interaction between nonallelic genes, especially an interaction in which one gene suppresses the expression of another.

The suppression of a bodily discharge or secretion.

Related formsep′i•stat′ic (ĕp′ĭ-stăt′ĭk) adj.