anisogenic
|an-i-so-gen-ic|
/ˌænɪsəˈdʒɛnɪk/
different or unequal origin
Etymology
'anisogenic' originates from Greek elements: 'anisos' meaning 'unequal' and 'genic' (from 'genos') meaning 'race/origin' or 'to produce'.
'anisogenic' is a modern scientific formation (19th–20th century) built from the prefix 'aniso-' (from Greek 'anisos') and the combining form '-genic' (from Greek 'genos'/'genein'); it parallels formations such as 'anisogamy' and 'isogenic'.
Initially used to denote 'produced from unequal origins' or 'relating to unequal gametes'; it has retained this technical sense and is now used broadly to mean 'of different genetic or source origin'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
in biology: originating from different parents or gametes; of different genetic origin (not isogenic).
The two cell lines were anisogenic, derived from different donors.
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Adjective 2
derived from different sources; heterogeneous in origin or cause.
The culture displayed anisogenic influences, reflecting multiple regional traditions.
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Last updated: 2025/09/17 16:26