karyotype

K5A1R1Y4O1T1Y4P3E1
UK/ˈkaɹɪə(ʊ)taɪp/

noun

The observed characteristics (number, type, shape, etc) of the chromosomes of an individual or species.

OriginRussian кариотип →
UncommonScrabble 21
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Meanings

nounkaryotype (plural karyotypes)

plural karyotypes

  1. biologyThe observed characteristics (number, type, shape, etc) of the chromosomes of an individual or species.
  2. biologyA record of such characteristics, usually photographic.
  3. obsoletebiologyA group of individuals or species that have the same chromosomal characteristics.
verbkaryotype (third-person singular simple present karyotypes, present participle karyotyping, simple past and past participle karyotyped)

present singular third person karyotypes · participle present karyotyping · participle past karyotyped · past karyotyped

  1. transitiveTo investigate or record such characteristics.

Origin

  1. Russianкариотип
  2. Englishkaryotype

Borrowed from Russian кариотип (kariotip), equivalent to karyo- + -type.

More words from Russian

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 核型
  • 核型 (héxíng)characteristics of chromosomes
Czech karyotyp
  • karyotypcharacteristics of chromosomes
Dutch karyotype
  • karyotypecharacteristics of chromosomes
Esperanto kariotipo
  • kariotipocharacteristics of chromosomes
Finnish karyotyyppi
  • karyotyyppicharacteristics of chromosomes
French caryotype
  • caryotypecharacteristics of chromosomes
German Karyotyp
  • Karyotypcharacteristics of chromosomes
Greek καρυότυπος
  • καρυότυπος (karyótypos)characteristics of chromosomes
Icelandic kjarngerð, kjarnagerð
  • kjarngerðcharacteristics of chromosomes
  • kjarnagerðcharacteristics of chromosomes
Italian cariotipo
  • cariotipocharacteristics of chromosomes
Japanese 核型
  • 核型 (kakugata)characteristics of chromosomes
Polish kariotyp
  • kariotypcharacteristics of chromosomes
Russian кариоти́п
  • кариоти́п (kariotíp)characteristics of chromosomes
Spanish cariotipo
  • cariotipocharacteristics of chromosomes
Turkish karyotip
  • karyotipcharacteristics of chromosomes
Cite this entry
APA

karyotype. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/karyotype

MLA

“karyotype.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/karyotype. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “karyotype,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/karyotype.

Source: karyotype on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.