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Added 9 October 2026

chromosome

/ˈkɹəʊ.məˌsəʊm/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about chromosome at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A linear arrangement of condensed DNA and associated proteins (such as chaperone proteins) which contains the genetic material (genome) of an organism.
Chromosomes store genetic information.

Origin

19th century: from German Chromosom, ultimately from Ancient Greek χρῶμα (khrôma, “colour”) + σῶμα (sôma, “body”) (because they are stained under the microscope). Equivalent to chromo- + -some.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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