pleiotropy

[ plahy-o-truh-pee ]

noun

, Genetics.

1. the phenomenon of one gene being responsible for or affecting more than one phenotypic characteristic.

Other Words From

• plei·o·trop·ic [plahy-, uh, -, trop, -ik, -, troh, -pik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleiotropy¹

First recorded in 1935–40; pleio- + -tropy