hybridize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to cross genetically different organisms, varieties, or species, or to produce hybrid offspring

   Breeders hybridize the two strains to combine disease resistance with higher yield.

2. 2
   verb

   to combine unlike elements into a mixed or hybrid form

   The engineer chose to hybridize electric propulsion with a conventional engine.

3. 3
   verb

   molecular biology: to bind complementary strands of nucleic acid

   Under controlled conditions, the probe will hybridize with its matching DNA sequence.

Formed from hybrid + -ize in the nineteenth century. Its first scientific use concerned producing offspring from unlike parents. The verb later broadened to mixed technologies and, in molecular biology, to the pairing of complementary nucleic-acid strands.

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