genome means the complete genetic information (either DNA or, in some viruses, RNA) of an organism.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, genome ranks #7,283 of 15,046 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #7,312 of 15,034 for Most Ponderous Words, #7,332 of 15,089 for Most Incisive Words, #7,341 of 15,090 for Most Whimsical Words.
genome is pronounced /ˈd͡ʒiː.nəʊm/.
Why “genome” is a great word
The complete set of genetic material, including all genes and non-coding sequences, present in an organism. From German Genom, coined in 1920 by botanist Hans Winkler as a blend of Gen ("gene") and Chromosom ("chromosome"). Unlike a "gene," a single instruction, or a "chromosome," a bound volume of such instructions, the genome is the entire, sprawling library. It is the microscopic, helical text encoding a blue whale's heart and a sequoia's bark and the specific curve of your own smile—the silent, inherited scripture from which a life is read aloud.
Etymology
From earlier genom, from German Genom, coined by German botanist Hans Winkler in 1920 as a blend of Gen (“gene”) + Chromosom (“chromosome”). By surface analysis, gen(e) + -ome, or a blend of gen(e) + (chromos)ome. Spelling altered to reflect the surface analysis.
noun
- The complete genetic information (either DNA or, in some viruses, RNA) of an organism.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- virus 81% match — A submicroscopic, non-cellular structure that consists of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat, that requires a living host cell to replicate, and that sometimes causes disease in the host organism (such agents are often classed as nonliving infectious particles and less often as microorganisms). vs genome →
- heredity 79% match — Hereditary transmission of the physical and genetic qualities of parents to their offspring; the biological law by which living beings tend to repeat their characteristics in their descendants. vs genome →
- paleovirology 78% match — The study of ancient, now-extinct viruses. vs genome →
- exposome 76% match — A measure of the effects of life-long environmental exposures on health. vs genome →
- lexicon 76% match — The vocabulary of a language. vs genome →
- specicide 76% match — The elimination of an entire species. vs genome →
- universe 76% match — The sum of everything that exists in the cosmos. vs genome →
- progenitor 76% match — A forefather, any of a person's direct ancestors. vs genome →