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Glite Dictionary
🧬 Many genes involved 🌐 From many sources
polygenetic

polygenetic

9.4
Developed from several different sources
  • adjective
  • /ˌpɒlɪdʒəˈnɛtɪk/
translation icon : poligénico
  • The research indicates that polygenetic factors contribute to the complexity of certain diseases.

Examples

  • In stuttering, it appears that it is polygenetic, so it is likely possible that you can have very minor things.

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  • Many traits in humans are believed to be polygenetic, resulting from multiple genes working together.

  • Certain skin colors in humans are polygenetic, derived from the interaction of several genes.

Synonyms

polygenic
vspolygenetic
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A trait when several genes work together instead of one gene

speaks of origin from multiple sources or causes rather than gene control
polyphyletic
vspolygenetic
  • Specialized
9.9

Made of parts or people from different, unrelated sources

is about development from more than one source or cause
heterogenic
vspolygenetic
  • Specialized
9.1

A person or group that has different genes

refers more generally to having developed from multiple sources not only genetic ones

Surface Forms

polygenetic positive

Morphology

polygenetic = genetic (semi-transparent) = poly + gene + tic

The word is built transparently from poly- plus genetic, but the sense 'from more than one source or cause' is somewhat technical and not fully predictable for all learners.

Etymology

Polygenetic comes from poly- meaning 'many' and genetic from a root meaning 'origin' or 'birth', the same root you see in generate and generation. So, something polygenetic has 'many beginnings' or comes from more than one source.