Where does “allele” come from?
Allele comes from German Allel, which was formed from English allelomorph, ultimately from Ancient Greek μορφή meaning "form."
allele (English): One of a number of alternative forms of the same...
Definitions
- One of a number of alternative forms of the same...
Ancestry of “allele”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | German | Allel | allele |
| 2 | German | Allelomorph | — |
| 3 | English | allelomorph | Synonym of allele |
| 4 | Greek | αλληλ- | Alternative form of αλληλο-; reciprocal, mutual;... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | ἄλλος | other, another, different, else; in combination... |
| 6 | Proto-Hellenic | áľľos | other, another |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂élyos | other, another |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂él- | to grow, nourish |