supergene

¹ American  

[soo-per-jeen] / ˈsu pərˌdʒin /

adjective

Geology.

1. formed by descending waters, as mineral or ore deposits (opposed to hypogene).

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supergene ² American  

[soo-per-jeen] / ˈsu pərˌdʒin /

noun

Genetics.

1. a portion of a chromosome consisting of linked genes that act as a single unit of inheritance.

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Etymology

Origin of supergene¹

1945–50; super- + -gene, as in hypogene

Origin of supergene²

First recorded in 1945–50; super- + gene

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

supergene

Trible attributes this rapid transformation to mutations in a supergene that contains genes coding for several traits that determine what the workers look like and how they act.

From Science Magazine ● Mar. 5, 2023

But the impostor queens have two copies of the mutated supergene.

From New York Times ● Mar. 3, 2023

Ague, J. J. & Brimhall, G. H. Geochemical modeling of steady state fluid flow and chemical reaction during supergene enrichment of porphyry copper deposits.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2017

The suite of genes in the inversion was cemented together as a supergene that was inherited in one large chunk.

From Nature ● Nov. 22, 2016

Hypogene ores are dominantly primary, and supergene ores are dominantly secondary, but either may include both primary and secondary ores.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)