blending inheritance

noun

: the expression in offspring of phenotypic characters (such as pink flower color from red and white parents) intermediate between those of the parents

also : inheritance in a now discarded theory in which the genetic material of offspring was held to be a uniform blend of that of the parents

Examples of blending inheritance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To maintain variation in a blending inheritance model requires a great deal of mutation, the extent of which is just not plausible. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2013

For example, a century ago, people used to argue that natural selection was impossible because of blending inheritance. —Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 8 June 2011

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

blending inheritance

noun

blend·​ing inheritance ˈblend-iŋ- 

: the expression in offspring of phenotypic characters (as pink flower color from red and white parental plants) intermediate between those of the parents

also : inheritance in a now discarded theory in which the genetic material of offspring was held to be a uniform blend of that of the parents compare mendelian inheritance, quantitative inheritance