polygenic

adjective

poly·​gen·​ic ˌpä-lē-ˈje-nik How to pronounce polygenic (audio) -ˈjē- How to pronounce polygenic (audio)
: of, relating to, mediated by, or constituting polygenes : involving two or more nonallelic genes collectively in determining inherited characteristics : multifactorial sense 1
polygenic inheritance
polygenic traits
Others think the allergic state is polygenic: transmitted by a number of genes whose combined expression is necessary to make a person allergic.—Paul D. Buisseret

Examples of polygenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since recruitment started in 2006, the data—which was used in more than 3,000 scientific papers published last year—has enabled innovations like the concept of the polygenic risk score, which measures the genetic risk of diseases. —TIME, 2 May 2024 What can a polygenic risk score tell you about your health? —Julia Ries, SELF, 15 Nov. 2023 The second bucket of tests are polygenic risk scores. —Julia Ries, SELF, 18 Oct. 2023 As Risch observes above intelligence is highly polygenic. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2013 See all Example Sentences for polygenic 

Word History

Etymology

poly- + gene + -ic entry 1, after German polygen

Note: The term polygen was introduced by the German zoologist and social Darwinist Ludwig Plate (1862-1937) in Vererbungslehre, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung des Menschen (Leipzig, 1913), p. 75

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polygenic was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near polygenic

polygenetic

polygenic

polygenic system

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Polygenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polygenic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

polygenic

adjective
poly·​gen·​ic ˌpäl-i-ˈjēn-ik How to pronounce polygenic (audio) -ˈjen-ik How to pronounce polygenic (audio)
: of, relating to, or resulting from polygenes : multifactorial
a polygenic disorder
polygenically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce polygenic (audio)
adverb
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