DNA

Did not answer.

Proper noun

  1. Defense Nuclear Agency, an agency of the United States Department of Defense which existed from 1971 to 1996 and has since been reorganized as the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Origin

An initialism of the various terms listed below. The verb sense is derived from noun etymology 2, phrase sense 7.

Noun

  1. Initialism of deoxyribonucleic acid (“a nucleic acid found in all living things (and some non-living things such as certain viruses) which consists of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix; encoded in its structure are genetic instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction”).
    • Among the various fractions isolated was one presumed to contain only desoxyribosenucleic acid (DNA). Because of certain speculations on the role of nucleic acids in protein synthesis it was necessary to measure and...
    • We wish to suggest a structure for the salt of deoxyribose nucleic acid (D.N.A.). This structure has novel features which are of considerable biological interest. - 1953 April 25, J[ames] D[ewey] Watson, F[rancis]...
    • As you know, heredity resides in our genes. Our genes are, in turn, composed of complex molecules called DNA. About 10 years ago we learned how to synthesize DNA in the test tube with the use of a certain cellular...

    Synonyms: thread of life

  2. The part of a living thing that carries genetic information.
  3. The fundamental nature or values of a person, or an organization or other thing, especially when considered as innate or immutable.
    • These ingredients in a company's DNA mean that [the] company will attract and grow leaders with these qualities. - 2003, Kevin [John] Kennedy, Mary Moore, “The Predictable Challenges Faced by Dominant Companies”, in...
    • The main leadership priority at Level 2 is creating the business's DNA by defining how all the moving parts of the company will work, both independently and together. - 2012, Bill McBean, “Fact 1: If You Don’t Lead, No...
    • But this new fixation on guns is […] coming from the hardcore MAGA set, and not only is it likely to stick around beyond the primaries, it's likely hardwired into the DNA of a party now driven by extremism, conspiracy,...

Origin

The noun is an initialism of deoxyribonucleic acid. The verb is derived from the noun.

Forms

DNAs

Hyponyms

A-DNA B-DNA bDNA C-DNA chloroplast DNA cpDNA complementary DNA cDNA dsDNA eccDNA ecDNA environmental DNA eDNA familial DNA gDNA hDNA H-DNA junk DNA mDNA microDNA mitochondrial DNA mtDNA nDNA non-coding DNA

Related

GNA PNA RNA TNA XNA

Derived

DNAemia DNA ladder DNA polymerase DNA profiling DNA sequence DNA sequencing DNA snippet DNA test DNA testing DNA virus

Phrase

  1. Did not answer.
  2. Did not arrive (used when someone fails to keep an appointment).
  3. Did not attend.
  4. Do not assume.
  5. Does not apply.
  6. Drugs 'n' alcohol.
  7. Do not arm (that is, do not provide with a firearm).

Verb Entry 4

  1. To examine a sample of (someone's) deoxyribonucleic acid.
    • The only way we're gonna know is if we DNA him against the spunk in Karen. - 2002, Matthew Stokoe, High Life, New York, N.Y.: Akashic Books, published 2008, →ISBN, page 261:
    • The barrister went on to say that his client 'remains persecuted and victimised. He has been DNAed; his hair, his blood and his clothes. Nothing. No charges have ever been brought.' - 2004, Michael Sheridan, Death in...
    • Maybe nothing to do with the break-in, but worth fingerprinting the wrapper and DNAing the gum. - 2020, Julian Mitchell, A Devon Deception, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire: Matador, →ISBN:

Forms

DNAs DNAing DNAed

Verb government, military

  1. To place (someone) under a DNA (do not arm) order because of mental illness.
    • She had her weapons back. She wasn't DNA'd anymore. But she didn't use a weapon. That's not how she did it. - 2018, Jeanne Marie Laskas, To Obama, with Love, Joy, Hate and Despair, New York, N.Y.: Random House, →ISBN,...

Forms

DNAs DNAing DNAed