jə̇ˈned.]ik, -et], ]ēk adjective
also ge·net·i·cal ]ə̇kəl, ]ēk-
Etymology: from genesis, after such pairs as antithesis: antithetic, antithetical
1.
a. : relating to or determined by the origin, development, prior history, or causal antecedents of some phenomenon : causal , historical , evolutionary
the genetic factors in juvenile deliquency
the genetic features of rocks — L.V.Pirsson
the genetic development of a legal doctrine
traces the genetic development … of his neurotic conflict — Lionel Ovesey
b. : based on or determined by evolution from a common source
the relationship … is not causal but genetic … both are derived from a common source, a literary convention — F.H.Ellis
— used especially of relations among languages or among words and grammatical forms of languages
classes of words … relied upon in establishing genetic connections between languages — M.J.Andrade
c. : concerned with or seeking to explain, interpret, or understand (as a literary or psychological phenomenon) in terms of its origin and development or of its causal antecedents
the general reaction against … historical or genetic criticism of any type — Malcolm Cowley
what we call the evolutionary approach or the historical attitude is technically labeled the genetic method — John Dewey
genetic psychology
2. : of or relating to genetics : characterized or produced by the agencies and operations of genetics : employed in the processes of genetics
genetic studies
3. : of, relating to, produced by, or being a gene : genic
genetic combinations
• ge·net·i·cal·ly ]ə̇k(ə)lē, ]ēk-, -li\ adverb