-gen
1 Americanabbreviation
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gender.
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general.
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genitive.
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genus.
abbreviation
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Military. General.
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Bible. Genesis.
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Geneva.
suffix
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producing or that which produces
hydrogen
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something produced
carcinogen
abbreviation
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General
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Bible Genesis
noun
Usage
What does -gen mean? The combining form -gen is used like a suffix meaning “that which produces.” It is often used in scientific and technical terms, especially in chemistry and biology.The form -gen comes from Greek -genēs, meaning “born” or “produced.” The Latin translation and cognate of -genēs is nātus, meaning “born,” which is the source of natal, native, and nature. Find out how these terms derive from nātus at our entry for each word.What are variants of -gen?While the form -gen doesn't have any variants, it is related to the combining forms -genic, -geny, and -genous, as in heterogenic, heterogeny, and heterogenous. The form -gen is also closely related to the combining forms -genesis and -genetic as in carcinogenesis and autogenetic. Read our Words That Use articles for -genic, -geny, -genous, -genesis, and -genetic to learn more.
Etymology
Origin of -gen
< French -gène ≪ Greek -genēs born, produced; akin to Latin genus, kin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But posts like these no longer seem to be riling up Gen Z.
From BBC
All have vowed to investigate corruption and work as "guardians" of Gen Z.
From BBC
For Rakshya Bam, one of Nepal's most prominent Gen Z leaders, these particular changes are small hints the party is willing to change.
From BBC
It was the excess on show on the social media accounts of politicians' children that provided the kindling for Nepal's Gen Z uprising last year.
From BBC
Gen. Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the city of El Cajon for multiple violations of the license plate sharing prohibition.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.