dominant

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   exercising influence or control

   television plays a dominant role in molding public opinion

2. 2
   noun

   Of an allele, that a heterozygote for the allele has the same phenotype as the homozygote.

   Finally, if we suppose provisionally that the mutant genes are dominant just as often as they are recessive, selection will be far more severe in eliminating the disadvantageous dominants than in eliminating the disadvantageous recessives.

3. 3
   noun

   A species or organism that is dominant.

   Landowners cannot afford to cut submerchantable trees, yet many hesitate to cut merchantable dominants and codominants at the risk of downgrading the residual stand.

4. 4
   noun

   The dominating partner in sadomasochistic sexual activity.

   This calendar is not for the faint of heart (unless you have some strong butch dominant to hold you while you swoon)

5. 5
   adj

   Ruling; governing; prevailing

   The dominant party controlled the government.

6. 6
   adj

   Predominant, common, prevalent, of greatest importance.

   The dominant plants of the Carboniferous were lycopods and early conifers.

7. 7
   adj

   Being the dominant

   Dominant seventh

8. 8
   adj

   (of genes) producing the same phenotype whether its allele is identical or dissimilar

Etymology

From Middle French dominant.