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Definition of mutation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

mutation

noun
 
/mjuːˈteɪʃn/
 
/mjuːˈteɪʃn/
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  1. [uncountable, countable] (biology) a process in which the genetic material of a person, a plant or an animal changes in structure when it is passed on to children, etc., causing different physical characteristics to develop; a change of this kind
    • These cells have been affected by mutation.
    • The disease is caused by genetic mutations.
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    Extra Examples
    • The genetic material has suffered a mutation.
    • The protein contained a mutation.
    • These cells carry a mutation affecting the prevention mechanism.
    Topics Biologyc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • chance
    • random
    • common
    • …
    verb + mutation
    • carry
    • contain
    • acquire
    • …
    mutation + verb
    • arise
    • occur
    • affect something
    • …
    mutation + noun
    • frequency
    • rate
    See full entry
  2. [uncountable, countable] a change in the form or structure of something
    • (linguistics) vowel mutation
    • In Celtic languages such as Welsh, there is a process of mutation affecting the beginning sound of a word, according to the word which comes before it.
    • This essay examines the mutation of ethnic politics into nationalist politics.
    3. Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin mutatio(n-), from mutare ‘to change’.
See mutation in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee mutation in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: mutation

Nearby words

dizzy
adjective
 
 
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