n.
Pronunciation: ' kr ō -m ə - ˌ s ō m, - ˌ z ō m
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary
Date: 1889
: any of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing structures of cellular organisms that are located in the nucleus of eukaryotes, are usually ring-shaped in prokaryotes (as bacteria), and contain all or most of the genes of the organism also : the genetic material of a virus ― compare CHROMATIN
– chro · mo · som · al \ ˌ kr ō -m ə - ' s ō -m ə l, - ' z ō - \ adjective
– chro · mo · som · al · ly \ -m ə -l ē \ adverb