n.
- A cell, group of cells, or organism that is descended from and genetically identical to a single common ancestor, such as a bacterial colony whose members arose from a single original cell.
- An organism descended asexually from a single ancestor, such as a plant produced by layering or a polyp produced by budding.
- A DNA sequence, such as a gene, that is transferred from one organism to another and replicated by genetic engineering techniques.
- One that copies or closely resembles another, as in appearance or function: "filled with business-school clones in gray and blue suits" (Michael M. Thomas).
v., cloned, clon·ing, clones. v.tr.
- To make multiple identical copies of (a DNA sequence).
- To create or propagate (an organism) from a clone cell: clone a sheep.
- To reproduce or propagate asexually: clone a plant variety.
- To produce a copy of; imitate closely: "The look has been cloned into cliché" (Cathleen McGuigan).
To grow as a clone.
[Greek klōn, twig.]
clonal clon'al (klō'nəl) adj.clonally clon'al·ly adv.
cloner clon'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
