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clone

(klōn)

1. A group of cells or organisms that are descended from and genetically identical to a single progenitor, such as a bacterial colony whose members arose from a single original cell.

2. An organism developed asexually from another and genetically identical to it, such as an animal produced from an egg cell into which the nucleus of an adult individual has been transferred.

3. A DNA sequence, such as a gene, that is transferred from one organism to another and replicated by genetic engineering techniques.

4. One that copies or closely resembles another, as in appearance or function: "filled with business-school clones in gray and blue suits" (Michael M. Thomas).

v. cloned, clon·ing, clones

v.tr.

1. To make multiple identical copies of (a DNA sequence).

2. To create or propagate (an organism) from a clone cell: clone a sheep.

3. To reproduce or propagate asexually: clone a plant variety.

4. To produce a copy of; imitate closely: "The look has been cloned into cliché" (Cathleen McGuigan).

v.intr.

To grow as a clone.

[Greek klōn, twig.]

clonal (klōnəl) adj.

clonal·ly adv.

cloner n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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