pleiotropy

English

Etymology

Coined by Ludwig Plate in 1910, from Ancient Greek πλείων (pleíōn) + -tropy; by surface analysis, pleio- +‎ -tropy.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /plaɪˈɒtɹəpi/
• (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /plaɪˈɑtɹəpi/

Noun

pleiotropy (countable and uncountable, plural pleiotropies)

1. (genetics) The influence of a single gene on multiple phenotypic traits; pleiotropism.

   Antonym: polygeny

2. (pharmacology) The existence of drug effects other than the one for which the drug was designed; usually implies additional beneficial effects.

Related terms

• pleiotropic