/ dʒiːn; NAmE / noun
( biology ) a unit inside a cell which controls a particular quality in a living thing that has been passed on from its parents :
a dominant / recessive gene
genes that code for the colour of the eyes
—see also genetic
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IDIOMS
- be in the genes
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WORD ORIGIN
early 20th cent.: from German Gen , from Pangen , a supposed ultimate unit of heredity (from Greek pan- all + genos race, kind, offspring).