First Known Use: 1903
Dictionary
1clone
noun \ˈklōn\
biology : a plant or animal that is grown from one cell of its parent and that has exactly the same genes as its parent
: a product (such as a computer) that is a copy of another product produced by a well-known company
: a person or thing that appears to be an exact copy of another person or thing
Full Definition of CLONE
1
a : the aggregate of genetically identical cells or organisms asexually produced by a single progenitor cell or organism b : an individual grown from a single somatic cell or cell nucleus and genetically identical to it c : a group of replicas of all or part of a macromolecule and especially DNA <clones of identical recombinant DNA sequences>
2
: one that appears to be a copy of an original form : duplicate <a clone of a personal computer>
— clon·al \ˈklō-nəl\ adjective
— clon·al·ly \-nə-lē\ adverb
See clone defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CLONE
Greek klōn twig, slip; akin to Greek klan to break — more at clast
Related to CLONE
- Synonyms
- carbon, carbon copy, copy, dummy, dupe, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, imitation, mock, reduplication, replica, replication, reproduction
2clone
verb
: to make an exact copy of (a person, animal, or plant) : to make a clone of (something or someone)
clonedclon·ing
Full Definition of CLONE
transitive verb
1
: to propagate a clone from
2
: to make a copy of
intransitive verb
: to produce a clone
— clon·er \ˈklō-nər\ noun
See clone defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CLONE
circa 1948
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