Definition of "recessive" in English

adjective

1. Going back; receding.

2. (genetics) Able to be masked by a dominant allele or trait.

   • 1944 June 21, James A. G. Rehn, South African Bird-Locust Records and Notes (Orthoptera; Acrididae; Cyrtacanthacridinae; Group Cyrtacanthacres), Notulae Naturae, Number 137, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, page 3, The Lydenburg male and the other two females have the infuscate pattern definitely more recessive and less evident, although traceable.

3. (by extension) Not dominant; whose effect is masked by stronger effects.

noun

1. (genetics) A gene that is recessive.

   • 2008, Ascertainment Test, entry in George P. Rédei, Encyclopedia of Genetics, Genomics, Proteomics, and Informatics, page 147, In three-child families 27/64 will have no affected offspring, 9/37 will have 2, and 1/37 are expected to have 3 recessives.