C1adjectiveformalsciencehealth
US/rɪˈses.ɪv/
UK/rɪˈses.ɪv/
(of a gene) only having an effect when a child gets the same gene from both parents
In context
Blue eyes are usually caused by a recessive gene.
Both parents can carry a recessive trait without showing it themselves.
Some serious illnesses are passed on to children through recessive genes.
Words that go with recessive
adjective + noun
- recessive geneEach parent passed on one copy of the recessive gene.
- recessive traitRed hair is a recessive trait in most families.
- recessive disorderThalassemia is a recessive disorder that is common in Southeast Asia.
- recessive formThe plant shows the recessive form only when both copies match.
- recessive characteristicWhite flowers were a recessive characteristic in Mendel's pea plants.