chimerism

noun

chi·​me·​rism kə-ˈmir-ˌi-zəm 

kī-;

ˈkī-mə-ˌri-

: the state of being a genetic chimera

Examples of chimerism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Borrowing from the Greeks, scientists call this condition chimerism. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024

But chimerism can also occur artificially with an organ or bone marrow transplant. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023

This created a state called mixed chimerism, where donor and receiver immune cells were combined in the recipient’s body. —Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 3 Nov. 2023

These ants aren’t the only animals to be chimeras—mice, rabbits, cats and even humans have chimerism in some cases. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023

The ants display a genetic condition called chimerism, named for the mythical chimera that has body parts from various creatures. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023

But there are species where chimerism is far more common. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2011

Though chimera cats are rare, chimerism can be hereditary, according to Healthline. —Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE.com, 29 Oct. 2021

These results may help to better understand early human development and primate evolution and develop strategies to improve human chimerism in evolutionarily distant species. —Mike Wehner, BGR, 15 Apr. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chimerism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Medical Definition

chimerism

noun

chi·​me·​rism kī-ˈmi(ə)r-ˌiz-əm, kə-; ˈkī-mə-ˌriz- 

: the state of being a genetic chimera