noun
adj
Freq #6625
Meanings
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1
noun
an organism, cell, gene, or other biological entity that carries a mutation
The researchers compared the mutant with the normal wild-type strain.
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2
adj
resulting from or carrying a genetic mutation
The mutant gene altered the shape of the insect's wings.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Latin mutans, the present participle of mutare ("to change"). It entered biological use for an organism or trait changed by mutation.