recessive

[ ri-ses-iv ]

adjective

1. tending to go, move, or slant back; receding. recede.
2. Genetics. of or relating to a recessive.
3. Phonetics. (of an accent) showing a tendency to recede from the end toward the beginning of a word.

noun

, Genetics.

1. that one of a pair of alternative alleles whose effect is masked by the activity of the second when both are present in the same cell or organism.
2. the trait or character determined by such an allele. Compare dominant ( def 6 ).

recessive

/ rɪˈsɛsɪv /

adjective

1. tending to recede or go back; receding
2. genetics
   1. (of a gene) capable of producing its characteristic phenotype in the organism only when its allele is identical
   2. (of a character) controlled by such a gene Compare dominant
3. linguistics (of stress) tending to be placed on or near the initial syllable of a polysyllabic word

noun

1. genetics
   1. a recessive gene or character
   2. an organism having such a gene or character

recessive

/ rĭ-sĕs′ĭv /

1. Relating to the form of a gene that is not expressed as a trait in an individual unless two such genes are inherited, one from each parent. In an organism having two different genes for a trait, the recessive form is overpowered by its counterpart, or dominant, form located on the other of a pair of chromosomes. In humans, lack of dimples is a recessive trait, while the presence of dimples is dominant.
2. See more at carrierCompare dominant

Derived Forms

• reˈcessiveness, noun
• reˈcessively, adverb

Other Words From

• re·cessive·ly adverb
• re·cessive·ness noun
• nonre·cessive adjective
• unre·cessive adjective
• unre·cessive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of recessive¹

1665–75; < Latin recess ( us ) ( recess ) + -ive

Example Sentences

In stark contrast with the sunny personality of his predecessor, Tony Blair, Brown's demeanor is dour, recessive and technocratic.

From The Daily Beast

The Vinifera characters are wholly recessive in vine and foliage, the plant resembling very closely its American parent, Concord.

From Project Gutenberg

While those traits which are dominated by the other and opposite traits and do not appear in offspring, he styled "Recessive."

From Project Gutenberg

But any individual sex-cell, or gamete, cannot (according to his view) bear both Dominant and Recessive traits.

From Project Gutenberg

Thirdly, that the Dominant order of traits are paramount over and extinguish the Recessive order of traits.

From Project Gutenberg

The plant of Dominant type, though still bi-sexual, is making for a male genus; the Recessive type is making for a Female genus.

From Project Gutenberg