genetic
/dʒəˈnɛtɪk/
adjective
Origin
Greek
genesis — origin, source, creation
Overview
Meaning Now
- Relating to genes or heredity.
- Relating to the origin or development of something.
Literal older meaning
pertaining to genesis or origin
Language path
Greek → New Latin → English
Earliest form
genetic
Earliest period
1830
Journey
The term underwent a significant shift in meaning in the early 20th century. While originally philosophical—denoting the study of the origin of things—it was co-opted by the biological sciences following William Bateson’s promotion of Mendel’s laws of inheritance, narrowing its scope to the study of heredity.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
genesis
“origin”
- New Latin (17th century)
geneticus
“pertaining to origin”
Used in scientific discourse to describe developmental processes.
- English (1830)
genetic
“pertaining to origins”
Initially used in philosophy and biology.
- English (1908)
genetic
“relating to genes (heredity)”
Adapted after the development of modern genetics as a science.
Connections
Word parts
gen-
root
to beget, birth
-etic
suffix
adjectival suffix pertaining to
Related across languages
French
génétique
genetic
German
genetisch
genetic
Explore next
Related to genetic
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.