- the branch of biology that deals with heredity and variation in similar or related animals and plants
- the genetic features or constitution of an individual, group, or kind
Origin of geneticsgenet(ic) + -ics
- (used with a sing. verb) The branch of biology that deals with heredity, especially the mechanisms of hereditary transmission and the variation of inherited characteristics among similar or related organisms.
- (used with a pl. verb) The genetic constitution of an individual, group, or class.
Ancient Greek γένεσις (genesis, “origin”). Ultimately from γίγνομαι (gignomai, “I come into being”).