chromonema

noun

chro·​mo·​ne·​ma ˌkrō-mə-ˈnē-mə How to pronounce chromonema (audio)
plural chromonemata ˌkrō-mə-ˈnē-mə-tə How to pronounce chromonema (audio)
: the coiled filamentous core of a chromatid
chromonematic adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Chromonem, from chromo- chromo- + -nem, borrowed from Greek nêma "thread" — more at nemato-

Note: The German word was introduced by the Czech zoologist František Vejdovský (1849-1939) in Zum Problem der Vererbungsträger (Prague, 1911-12), p. 130.

First Known Use

circa 1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chromonema was circa 1925

Dictionary Entries Near chromonema

Cite this Entry

“Chromonema.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chromonema. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

chromonema

noun
chro·​mo·​ne·​ma ˌkrō-mə-ˈnē-mə How to pronounce chromonema (audio)
plural chromonemata -ˈnē-mət-ə How to pronounce chromonema (audio)
: the coiled filamentous core of a chromatid
chromonematic adjective
or chromonemal or chromonematal

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