Definition of allele
1
: any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus (see locus sense 3)
2
: either of a pair of alternative Mendelian characters (see character entry 1 sense 1b(3)) (such as smooth and wrinkled seed in the pea)
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for allele
The first known use of allele was in 1921
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