mutation

mu·ta·tion

noun \myü-ˈtā-shən\

Definition of MUTATION

1

: a significant and basic alteration : change

2

: umlaut

3

a : a relatively permanent change in hereditary material involving either a physical change in chromosome relations or a biochemical change in the codons that make up genes; also : the process of producing a mutation b : an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation

— mu·ta·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— mu·ta·tion·al·ly adverb

Examples of MUTATION

1. The cat's short tail is the result of mutation.
2. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation.
3. The cat's short tail is the result of a mutation.
4. The building is a mutation of the original design.

First Known Use of MUTATION

14th century

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

Rhymes with MUTATION

aeration, Alsatian, carnation, castration, causation, cessation, cetacean, citation, Claymation, cognation, collation, conflation, C ration, creation, cremation, crenation, Croatian, crustacean, dalmatian, damnation, deflation, delation, dictation, dilation, donation, earth station, elation, Eurasian, filtration, fixation, flirtation, flotation, formation, foundation, frustration, gas station, gestation, gradation, gustation, guttation, gyration, hydration, inflation, lactation, legation, libation, location, lunation, lustration, luxation, migration, narration, negation, notation, oblation, oration, outstation, ovation, palmation, palpation, plantation, potation, predation, privation, probation, pronation, proration, prostration, pulsation, punctation, pupation, purgation, relation, rogation, rotation, salvation, sedation, sensation, serration, space station, stagflation, stagnation, starvation, striation, substation, summation, tarnation, taxation, temptation, translation, truncation, vacation, vexation, vibration, vocation, way station, workstation