prepotency

[ pree-poht-n-see ]

noun

, Genetics.

1. the ability of one parent to impress its hereditary characters on its progeny because it possesses more homozygous, dominant, or epistatic genes.

prepotency

/ prɪˈpəʊtənsɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being prepotent
2. genetics the ability of one parent to transmit more characteristics to its offspring than the other parent
3. botany the ability of pollen from one source to bring about fertilization more readily than that from other sources

Word History and Origins

Origin of prepotency¹

1640–50 for general sense “predominance”; < Latin praepotentia. See prepotent, -ency

Example Sentences

This has also been enforced by statements as to the prepotency of certain pollen of identical species, but of distinct races.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no factor in breeding of more importance than prepotency, and none which is more difficult to estimate.

From Project Gutenberg

We have now to consider the bearing of what is called "prepotency" on the theory of physiological selection.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, we necessarily select the only trait really worth while; that is prepotency or the ability to beget desirable qualities.

From Project Gutenberg

But this epoch of Ghibelline prepotency in Tuscany was brief.

From Project Gutenberg