recessive

The definition of recessive is going back to a former state.

(adjective)

An example of something recessive is a third grade student doing first grade math.

Recessive is defined as a gene with characteristics which are not as strong as those on a dominant gene.

(noun)

An example of a recessive is the gene for blue eyes.

See recessive in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

receding or tending to recede
Genetics designating or relating to that one of any pair of allelic hereditary factors which, when both are present in the germ plasm, remains latent
see Mendel's laws

Origin: < L recessus (see recess) + -ive

noun

Genetics a recessive character or characters

Related Forms:

See recessive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Tending to go backward or recede.
a. Genetics Of, relating to, or designating an allele that does not produce a characteristic effect when present with a dominant allele.
b. Of or relating to a trait that is expressed only when the determining allele is present in the homozygous condition.

noun
Genetics