palindrome

[ pal-in-drohm ]

noun

1. a word, line, verse, number, sentence, etc., reading the same backward as forward, as Madam, I'm Adam or Poor Dan is in a droop.
2. Biochemistry. a region of DNA in which the sequence of nucleotides is identical with an inverted sequence in the complementary strand:

   GAATTC is a palindrome of CTTAAG.

palindrome

/ ˈpælɪnˌdrəʊm; ˌpælɪnˈdrɒmɪk /

noun

1. a word or phrase the letters of which, when taken in reverse order, give the same word or phrase, such as able was I ere I saw Elba

Derived Forms

• palindromic, adjective

Other Words From

• pa·lin·dro·mist [p, uh, -, lin, -droh-mist], noun
• pal·in·drom·ic [pal-in-, drom, -ik, -, droh, -mik], palin·dromi·cal adjective
• palin·dromi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of palindrome¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Greek palíndromos “recurring,” equivalent to pálin “back, again” + -dromos “running, race” ( -drome )

Word History and Origins

Origin of palindrome¹

C17: from Greek palindromos running back again, from palin again + -drome

Example Sentences

The second survival strategy takes advantage of palindromes, where the sequence of letters in the DNA alphabet is followed by the same, but inverted sequence, for example, ACTG-GTCA.

From Science Daily

Here, the composer counted years, 20 for Disney, with a sequence of 20 chords, used in various sequences, this way and that, and as palindromes.

From Los Angeles Times

Researchers at the University of Helsinki resolved outstanding questions around the origin of small regulatory genes, and described a mechanism that creates their DNA palindromes.

From Science Daily

Across the way, “Evil” — a 1973 word-painting related to Ruscha’s series on palindromes, words that read the same backward and forward — is spelled out in dark, coagulated blood that was drawn from the artist’s veins.

From Los Angeles Times

But remember that its title is a palindrome, a type of wordplay in which a word or phrase reads the same backward and forward.

From New York Times

More About Palindrome

What is a palindrome?

A palindrome is a word or phrase that can be read the same way backward or forward, as with the words redivider, kayak, and civic.

Palindromes are most often used to be creative and have fun with words. You might see them in ads to catch your attention or a creative writing teacher might ask the class to write palindromes to help students think more creatively.

In biology, a palindrome describes a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that matches a reverse line. The possible nucleotide combinations are A-T and C-G, and the pairs can match up in any order. Sometimes they line up palindromically, as when CCTAGG matches up with a sequence of GGATCC.

Example: One of the most famous palindromes is “Never Odd or Even,” which has the same letters backward and forward.

Where does palindrome come from?

The first records of the term palindrome come from around 1630. It comes from the Greek palíndromos, meaning “recurring.” A word or phrase that is spelled the same way backward as it does forward might be thought of as having recurring letters.

Palindromes are a literary device similar to alliteration or rhyme schemes, which allow writers to add an extra layer of written complexity to their works. Sometimes a product or brand with a palindromic name is more memorable, such as the Honda Civic, Xerox printers, Elle magazine, and OXO cooking products.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to palindrome?

• palindromist (noun)
• palindromic (adjective)
• palindromical (adjective)
• palindromically (adverb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with palindrome? 

• palindromia

What are some words that often get used in discussing palindrome?

• letters
• literary
• nucleotide
• spelling
• words

How is palindrome used in real life?

Palindromes are mostly created for the fun of them.

Today is 02/02/2020, a rare palindrome date.

— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 2, 2020

“Was it a car or a cat I saw?” is a palindromic sentence – Neglecting the punctuation, it can be read the same backwards.

— UberFacts (@UberFacts) April 4, 2020

#ABBA is the only palindromic band to have had a song in the UK charts that is also a palindrome – SOS.

— Quite Interesting (@qikipedia) April 27, 2018

 

 

Try using palindrome!

Is palindrome used correctly in the following sentence?

My favorite palindrome is “She sells seashells by the seashore.”