backcross

[ bak-kraws, -kros ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cross (a hybrid of the first generation) with either of its parents.

noun

1. an instance of such crossing.

backcross

/ ˈbækˌkrɒs /

verb

1. to mate (a hybrid of the first generation) with one of its parents

noun

1. the offspring so produced
2. the act or process of backcrossing

backcross

/ băk′krôs′,-krŏs′ /

Verb

1. To cross a hybrid with one of its parents or with an individual genetically identical to one of its parents. Backcrossing is used in research to isolate genetic characteristics found in one of the parents.

Noun

1. The act of making such a cross.
2. An individual resulting from such a cross.

Word History and Origins

Origin of backcross¹

First recorded in 1900–05; back ² + cross

Example Sentences

The process, known as a backcross, continues: The more backcrosses, the more the new variety will resemble the second parent.

From Reuters

Some organizations, such as the American Chestnut Foundation, backcross American trees with resistant Chinese varieties to produce seedlings that resemble American chestnuts but have sufficient Chinese qualities to survive the effects of blight.

From New York Times

“We diluted out all the traits of the Chinese chestnut except for blight resistance, for which we selected at each backcross by inoculating the trees with the blight fungus.”

From New York Times

The process, known as a backcross, continues: The more backcrosses, the more the new variety will resemble the second parent.

From Reuters