Word Study
allele
CIDE DICTIONARY
allele, n.
- one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that can have the same place on homologous chromosomes and are responsible for alternative traits. [WordNet 1.5]
- either of a pair of Mendelian characters that may occur in an organism as a consequence of variation at one gene locus. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
allele, n. (also allel) one of the (usu. two) alternative forms of a gene.
Derivative
allelic adj.
Etymology
G Allel, abbr. of ALLELOMORPH
For further exploring for "allele" in Webster Dictionary Online