Main Entry: mu·ta·gen

Pronunciation: \ˈmyü-tə-jən\

Function: noun

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary mutation + -gen

Date: 1933

: an agent (as a chemical or various radiations) that tends to increase the frequency or extent of mutation

— mu·ta·gen·ic \ˌmyü-tə-ˈje-nik\ adjective

— mu·ta·gen·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb