mutate

To undergo mutation.

Verb

  1. To undergo mutation.
    • The virus has mutated into a more resilient version.
  2. To cause mutation.

Origin

First attested in 1796; back-formation from mutation on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix), ultimately from Latin mūtō (“to exchange; to change, to vary”). Doublet of moult.

Forms

mutates mutating mutated

Related

mutant mutation mutatis mutandis

Derived

dismutate hypermutate mutase mutatable mutative mutator mutein paramutate premutate stereomutate transmutate