leptotene

noun

lep·​to·​tene ˈlep-tə-ˌtēn How to pronounce leptotene (audio)
: a stage of meiotic prophase immediately preceding synapsis in which the chromosomes appear as fine discrete threads

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leptotene was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near leptotene

Leptostromataceae

leptotene

leptothermal

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Leptotene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leptotene. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

leptotene

1 of 2 noun
lep·​to·​tene ˈlep-tə-ˌtēn How to pronounce leptotene (audio)
: a stage of meiotic prophase immediately preceding synapsis in which the chromosomes appear as fine discrete threads

leptotene

2 of 2 adjective
variants also leptotenic
ˌlep-tə-ˈtē-nik How to pronounce leptotene (audio)
: relating to or being the leptotene of meiotic prophase
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