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blending inheritance
noun
: the expression in offspring of phenotypic characters (such as pink flower color from red and white parents) intermediate between those of the parents
also
: inheritance in a now discarded theory in which the genetic material of offspring was held to be a uniform blend of that of the parents
Examples of blending inheritance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To maintain variation in a blending inheritance model requires a great deal of mutation, the extent of which is just not plausible.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2013
For example, a century ago, people used to argue that natural selection was impossible because of blending inheritance.
—Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 8 June 2011
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Word History
First Known Use
1903, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of blending inheritance was
in 1903
Dictionary Entries Near blending inheritance
Cite this Entry
“Blending inheritance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blending%20inheritance. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
blending inheritance
noun
blend·ing inheritance
ˈblend-iŋ-
: the expression in offspring of phenotypic characters (as pink flower color from red and white parental plants) intermediate between those of the parents
also
: inheritance in a now discarded theory in which the genetic material of offspring was held to be a uniform blend of that of the parents compare mendelian inheritance, quantitative inheritance
More from Merriam-Webster on blending inheritance
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blending inheritance
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