oncogenic

English

Etymology

From onco- (tumor) +‎ -genic (producing).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˌɒŋkoʊˈd͡ʒɛnɪk/
  • Rhymes: -ɛnɪk

Adjective

oncogenic (not comparable)

  1. Causing the formation of tumors. [from 20th c.]
    Synonym: oncogenous
    oncogenic viruses
    • 1997, Roy Porter, The Greatest Benefit to Mankind, Folio Society, published 2016, page 554:
      From the late 1960s research into oncogenic viruses was particularly advanced by David Baltimore (b. 1938) and Howard Tenin (1934–94), who simultaneously published a report of the discovery of an enzyme reverse transcriptase.
  2. Arising from or caused by a tumor: tumor-induced.
    Synonym: oncogenous

Usage notes