recessive

 
Pronunciation: /rɪˈsɛsɪv/

adjective

  • 1 Genetics relating to or denoting heritable characteristics controlled by genes which are expressed in offspring only when inherited from both parents. Often contrasted with dominant.
  • 2undergoing an economic recession: the recessive housing market
  • 3 Phonetics (of the stress on a word or phrase) tending to fall on the first syllable: recessive stress is characteristic of British English
  • 4 Linguistics tending to fall into disuse: this variant was a low-status and recessive feature

noun

Genetics
  • a recessive trait or gene.

Derivatives

recessively

adverb

recessiveness

noun

recessivity

noun

Origin:

late 17th century: from recess, on the pattern of excessive