-gen

¹ American  

Also -gene

1. a combining form meaning “that which produces,” used in the formation of compound words.

   endogen; hydrogen.

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gen. ² American  

abbreviation

1. gender.

2. general.

3. genitive.

4. genus.

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Gen. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Military. General.

2. Bible. Genesis.

3. Geneva.

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-gen ¹ British  

suffix

1. producing or that which produces

   hydrogen

2. something produced

   carcinogen

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Gen. ² British  

abbreviation

1. General

2. Bible Genesis

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gen ³ British  

/ dʒɛn /

noun

1. informal information See also gen up

   give me the gen on your latest project

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Usage

What does -gen mean? The combining form -gen is used like a suffix meaning “that which produces.” It is often used in scientific and technical terms, especially in chemistry and biology.The form -gen comes from Greek -genēs, meaning “born” or “produced.” The Latin translation and cognate of -genēs is nātus, meaning “born,” which is the source of natal, native, and nature. Find out how these terms derive from nātus at our entry for each word.What are variants of -gen?While the form -gen doesn't have any variants, it is related to the combining forms -genic, -geny, and -genous, as in heterogenic, heterogeny, and heterogenous. The form -gen is also closely related to the combining forms -genesis and -genetic as in carcinogenesis and autogenetic. Read our Words That Use articles for -genic, -geny, -genous, -genesis, and -genetic to learn more.

Etymology

Origin of -gen

< French -gène ≪ Greek -genēs born, produced; akin to Latin genus, kin