An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The basic unit of hereditary that is an ordered sequence of nucleotides located in a particular position of a particular chromosome. It is the means by which characteristics are transmitted from parents to offsprings.

Etymology (EN): From Ger. Gen, coined 1905 by Danish scientist Wilhelm Ludvig Johannsen (1857-1927), from Gk. genos “race, kind,” genesis “origin,” genea “generation, race;” cognate with L. genus “race, stock;” generare “to bring forth;” Pers. zâdan “to bring forth;” → generate.

Etymology (PE): Žen, loanword from Fr., as above.