Definition of CLINE

cline

Plural: clines

Noun

  • A gradient of genetic or phenotypic change within a species.
  • American geneticist who succeeded in transferring a functioning gene from one mouse to another (born in 1934)
  • A gradation in a character or phenotype within a species, deme, or other systematic group.
  • Any graduated continuum.
  • A generalized circle.

Examples

  • The CLINE of possible words on his rack narrowed as the game progressed.

Origin / Etymology

From Ancient Greek κλῑ́νω (klī́nō, “to lean, incline”). Introduced by English evolutionary biologist and eugenicist Julian Huxley in 1938 after British mycologist John Ramsbottom suggested the term.

Synonyms

Martin Cline, circline, generalized circle

Scrabble Score: 7

cline: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
cline: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
cline: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

cline: valid Words With Friends Word