recessive - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

A recessive gene is a gene that doesn’t show up on the surface (for example in hair or eye color) unless the more dominant gene is not present.

You might remember the word recessive from biology, where it most often appears. We can also use recessive to describe something that has the tendency to withdraw or recede, or something pertaining to an economic recession.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: recessive

1	adj	of or pertaining to a recession
2	n adj	an allele that produces its characteristic phenotype only when its paired allele is identical (of genes) producing its characteristic phenotype only when its allele is identical

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: recessive

1

adj of or pertaining to a recession

Synonyms:: recessionary

2

n an allele that produces its characteristic phenotype only when its paired allele is identical

Synonyms:: recessive allele

Type of:: allele, allelomorph
(genetics) either of a pair (or series) of alternative forms of a gene that can occupy the same locus on a particular chromosome and that control the same character

adj (of genes) producing its characteristic phenotype only when its allele is identical

Antonyms:: dominant
(of genes) producing the same phenotype whether its allele is identical or dissimilar