pleiotropic
adjective
pleio·tro·pic
ˌplī-ə-ˈtrō-pik 
-ˈträ-
: producing more than one effect
especially
: having multiple phenotypic expressions
a pleiotropic gene
Examples of pleiotropic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Consequently, the cumulative selective force acting over time on diverse traits caused by a single pleiotropic mutation could have driven the rise and spread of 370A.
—
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2013
For example, the xol-1 mutant which produced maleless populations may have had pleiotropic effects.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2011
Stephen Hsu of Michigan State University, one of Genomic Prediction’s founders, acknowledges the theoretical risk of this, but argues that serious pleiotropic effects are unlikely.
—The Economist, 7 Nov. 2019
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2013
For example, the xol-1 mutant which produced maleless populations may have had pleiotropic effects.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2011
Stephen Hsu of Michigan State University, one of Genomic Prediction’s founders, acknowledges the theoretical risk of this, but argues that serious pleiotropic effects are unlikely.
—The Economist, 7 Nov. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pleiotropic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1938, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near pleiotropic
Cite this Entry
“Pleiotropic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pleiotropic. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
pleiotropic
adjective
pleio·tro·pic
ˌplī-ə-ˈtrōp-ik
-ˈträp-
-ˈträp-
: producing more than one effect
especially
: having multiple phenotypic expressions
a pleiotropic gene
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