Clone
/kloʊn/noun
An organism, cell, or genetic sequence that is genetically identical or nearly identical to another.
Did you know?The biological term was coined in 1903 by botanist Herbert J. Webber, who adapted Greek klōn, meaning a cutting used to grow a new plant.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κλών (klōn)
“A twig, branch, or slip used for propagating a plant”
1903
English
clone
“A term introduced by Herbert J. Webber for a group of genetically identical plants produced asexually”
1938
English
clone
“Extended to genetically identical organisms more generally”
1950s
English
clone
“Applied increasingly to genetically identical cells and laboratory material”
1996
English
clone
“Popularized worldwide after the cloning of Dolly the sheep”
Modern English
English
clone
“A genetically identical organism, cell, or genetic copy; also a close imitation”