any of two or more variants of a gene that have the same relative position on homologous chromosomes and are responsible for alternative characteristics, such as smooth or wrinkled seeds in peas
Also called: allelomorph (əˈliːləˌmɔːf). See also multiple alleles
Derived forms
allelic (alˈlelic)
adjective
allelism (alˈlelism)
noun
Word origin
C20: from German Allel, shortened from allelomorph, from Greek allēl- one another + morphē form
allele in American English
(əˈlil)
noun
either of a pair of genes located at the same position on both members of a pair of chromosomes and conveying characters that are inherited in accordance with Mendelian law
Derived forms
allelic (alˈlelic) (əˈlilɪk; əˈlɛlɪk)
adjective
allelism (alˈlelˌism) (əˈlilˌɪzəm; əˈlɛlɪzəm)
noun
Word origin
Ger allel < Gr allēlōn, of one another
Examples of 'allele' in a sentence
allele
Over the boom of their released laughter, he told them, "As you know, each of these cards represents an allele.