sticky end

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noun Genetics, Biotechnology.

a single-stranded end of DNA or RNA having a nucleotide base sequence complementary to that of another strand, enabling the two strands to be connected by base pairing: produced in the laboratory with the use of restriction enzymes for genetic engineering purposes.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of sticky end

First recorded in1970–75

Words nearby sticky end

stick with, stickwork, sticky, stickybeak, sticky blood, sticky end, sticky-fingered, sticky fingers, Sticky Note, sticky rice, sticky wicket

How to use sticky end in a sentence

He was rather an unsavoury sort of character in some ways, but I heard that he came to a sticky end.
Tales of Chinatown|Sax Rohmer

British Dictionary definitions for sticky end

sticky end

noun

informal an unpleasant finish or death (esp in the phrase come to or meet a sticky end)

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