missense

adjective

mis·​sense ˈmis-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce missense (audio)
: relating to or being a gene mutation involving alteration of one or more codons so that different amino acids are determined compare antisense, nonsense

Examples of missense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Especially striking was the complete absence of the APOL1 missense mutations in Ethiopia. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2010 A missense mutation, for example, swaps one amino acid in the protein for another. Nicholette Zeliadt, Washington Post, 30 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

mis- + -sense (as in nonsense)

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of missense was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near missense

Cite this Entry

“Missense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missense. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

missense

1 of 2 adjective
mis·​sense ˈmis-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce missense (audio)
: relating to or being a gene mutation involving alteration of one or more codons so that different amino acids are determined
missense mutations
a missense suppressor
compare antisense, nonsense

missense

2 of 2 noun
: missense genetic mutation compare nonsense
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