frameshift

adjective

frame·​shift ˈfrām-ˌshift How to pronounce frameshift (audio)
: relating to, being, or causing a mutation in which a number of nucleotides not divisible by three is inserted or deleted so as to change the reading frame of some triplet codons during genetic translation
frameshift noun

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frameshift was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near frameshift

frame of reference

frameshift

frame spacing

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Frameshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frameshift. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

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Medical Definition

frameshift

adjective
frame·​shift -ˌshift How to pronounce frameshift (audio)
: relating to, being, or causing a mutation in which a number of nucleotides not divisible by three is inserted or deleted so that some triplet codons are read incorrectly during genetic translation
frameshift mutations
frameshift mutagens
frameshift noun
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