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genic

1

[ jen-ik ]

adjective

, Biology.
  1. of, pertaining to, resembling, or arising from a gene or genes.


-genic

2
  1. a combining form often corresponding to nouns ending in -gen or -geny, with the following senses: “producing or causing” ( hallucinogenic ); “produced or caused by” ( cosmogenic ); “pertaining to a gene or genes” ( polygenic ); “pertaining to suitability for reproduction by a medium” ( telegenic ).

genic

1

/ ˈdʒɛnɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to a gene or genes
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

-genic

2

combining form

  1. relating to production or generation

    carcinogenic

  2. well suited to or suitable for

    photogenic

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of genic1

First recorded in 1920–25; gene + -ic

Origin of genic2

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Word History and Origins

Origin of genic1

from -gen + -ic
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Example Sentences

Apart from its association with cancer, some genic variants of the Alex3 protein and its genic family are also related to neurodegenerative diseases -- especially Parkinson's -- , sleep apnoea and metabolic diseases.

To compare results from the ASE and GTEx analyses with previous observations on genic XCI status we collated findings from two earlier studies1, 2 that represent systematic expression-based surveys into XCI.

From Nature

Genic regions were within 5 kbp from a gene model.

From Nature

Moreover, 400 insertions showed highly polymorphic frequency variability across the populations, and 76 of them, including 45 genic insertions, were Asian specific.

From Nature

Quantification of genic intolerance to both classes of variation will provide added power to disease studies.

From Nature

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Words That Use -genic

What does -genic mean?

The combining formgenic is used like a suffix with a variety of meanings, all essentially meaning “of or related to production or generation.” In some instances, the initial element specifies the thing being produced. For instance, ulcerogenic means “ulcer-producing.” In others, the initial element specifies the location or generator of production, such as costogenic, meaning “arising from a rib.” The form –genic is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology and medicine.

The form –genic comes from the combination of two forms, –gen and –ic. The form gen means “that which produces,” from Greek –genēs, meaning “born” or “produced.” The suffix ic means “having some characteristics of,” from Greek –ikos. The Latin translation and cognate of –genēs is nātus, meaning “born,” which is the source of natal, native, and nature. Find out how these terms derive from nātus at our entry for each word.

What are variants of –genic?

While the form –genic doesn’t have any variants, it is related to the combining forms geny and gen, as in endogeny and endogen. The form –genic is also closely related to the combining forms genous, genesis, and genetic, as in heterogenous, biogenesis, and epigenetic. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for –geny, –gen, –genous, –genesis, and –genetic.

Examples of -genic

One example of a medical term featuring the form –genic is otogenic, “of or originating within the ear, especially from inflammation of the ear.”

The form oto means “ear,” from Greek oûs, and as we have seen, –genic means “of or relating to production.” Otogenic literally means “of or relating to production in the ear.”

What are some words that use the combining form –genic?

What are some other forms that –genic may be commonly confused with?

Break it down!

The combining form lacto means “milk” or “lactation.” With this in mind, what does lactogenic mean?

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