epistasis

noun epis·ta·sis \i-ˈpis-tə-səs\

plural epis·ta·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of EPISTASIS

: suppression of the effect of a gene by a nonallelic gene

— ep·i·stat·ic \ˌe-pə-ˈsta-tik\ adjective

New Latin, from Greek, act of stopping, from ephistanai to stop, from epi- + histanai to cause to stand — more at stand

First Known Use: circa 1917

Medical Dictionary

noun epis·ta·sis \i-ˈpis-tə-səs\

plural epis·ta·ses \-ˌsēz\

a : suppression of a secretion or discharge b : a scum on the surface of urine

: suppression of the effect of a gene by a nonallelic gene <the role of epistasis in polygenic inheritance>

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