dominance

dom·i·nance

noun \ˈdä-mə-nən(t)s, ˈdäm-nən(t)s\

Definition of DOMINANCE

1

: the fact or state of being dominant: as

a : dominant position especially in a social hierarchy

b : the property of one of a pair of alleles or traits that suppresses expression of the other in the heterozygous condition

c : the influence or control over ecological communities exerted by a dominant

2

: functional asymmetry between a pair of bodily structures (as the right and left hands)

Examples of DOMINANCE

1. <although Napoléon had achieved dominance over the European continent, Great Britain still ruled the waves>
2. <the professor's dominance in the field of ancient Greek history>

First Known Use of DOMINANCE

1819

Related to DOMINANCE

Synonyms

ascendance (also ascendence), ascendancy (also ascendency), supremacy, domination, dominion, hegemony, imperium, predominance, predominancy, preeminence, reign, sovereignty (also sovranty)

Related Words

primacy, superiority; lordship, scepter; arm, authority, choke hold, clutch, command, control, grip, hold, mastery, sway; takeover; direction, jurisdiction, management; clout, might, pull, weight; eminence, importance, moment; prerogative, privilege, right

Near Antonyms

helplessness, weakness; impotence, impotency, powerlessness

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

dom·i·nance

noun \ˈdäm(-ə)-nən(t)s\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DOMINANCE

: the fact or state of being dominant: as a : the relative position of an individual in a social hierarchy—compare pecking order b : the property of one of a pair of alleles or traits that suppresses expression of the other in the heterozygous condition c : functional asymmetry between a pair of bodily structures (as the right and left hands)

dominance

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In genetics, the greater influence by one of a pair of genes (alleles) that affect the same inherited trait. If an individual pea plant that has one allele for tallness and one for shortness is the same height as an individual that has two alleles for tallness, the tallness allele is said to be completely dominant. If such an individual is shorter than an individual that has two tallness alleles but still taller than one that has two shortness alleles, the tallness allele is said to be partially or incompletely dominant and the shortness allele is said to be recessive (see recessiveness).