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X-linked

American  
[eks-lingkt] / ˈɛksˌlɪŋkt /

adjective

Genetics.
  1. of or relating to a trait controlled by a gene or genes on the X chromosome.

  2. of or relating to a gene on an X chromosome.


X-linked Scientific  
/ ĕkslĭngkt′ /
  1. Relating to an inherited trait controlled by a gene on an X-chromosome. Orange fur color is an X-linked trait in cats.


Etymology

Origin of X-linked

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

By analyzing 2,811 people with ataxia, hereditary spastic paraplegia, and dystonia, scientists identified harmful variants in a gene called CD99L2 as the cause of X-linked spastic ataxia.

From Science Daily Jun. 13, 2026

Genes that are present on the X but not the Y chromosome are said to be X-linked, such that males only inherit one allele for the gene, and females inherit two.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

When they inherit one recessive X-linked mutant allele and one dominant X-linked wild-type allele, they are carriers of the trait and are typically unaffected.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Eye color in Drosophila was one of the first X-linked traits to be identified.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

When a gene being examined is present on the X chromosome, but not on the Y chromosome, it is said to be X-linked.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

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