Mutation
/mjuːˈteɪ.ʃən/noun
A change or alteration, especially in form, character, or genetic material.
Did you know?Mutation comes from Latin mutare, meaning “to change,” the same ancient root behind words like commute, mutual, and permute—so the word has always carried the energy of movement, exchange, and transformation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mei-
“to change, go, move”
Latin
Latin
mutare
“to change, alter”
Late Latin
Latin
mutatio
“a changing, alteration”
Old French
Old French
mutation
“change, alteration”
14th Century
English
mutation
“a change or alteration”
Modern English
English
mutation
“a change in form, nature, or genetic material”