recessive
adj.describing a gene or trait that only shows up when you get it from both your parents. If you have one of these genes and one that is stronger, the stronger one will usually win.
adj.relating to a genetic trait that is only expressed when two copies of the gene are present. In a heterozygous state, the trait is masked by a dominant allele.
“Blue eyes are a recessive trait in humans.”
“The breeders were surprised when the puppies inherited the recessive gene for white fur, as neither parent had that color.”
“In Mendelian genetics, a recessive allele will only manifest in the phenotype if the organism is homozygous for that specific trait, meaning both copies of the gene are identical.”
“A-type trees have one copy of each version; B-type trees have two copies of the recessive version.”
From Latin recēdō + -ive, or directly from New Latin recessīvus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.