clone   (klōn)    n.   A cell, group of cells, or organism that is descended from and genetically identical to a single common ancestor, such as a bacterial colony whose members arose from a single original cell. An organism descended asexually from a single ancestor, such as a plant produced by layering or a polyp produced by budding. A DNA sequence, such as a gene, that is transferred from one organism to another and replicated by genetic engineering techniques. One that copies or closely resembles another, as in appearance or function: "filled with business-school clones in gray and blue suits" (Michael M. Thomas). v.   cloned, clon·ing, clones v.   tr. To make multiple identical copies of (a DNA sequence). To create or propagate (an organism) from a clone cell: clone a sheep. To reproduce or propagate asexually: clone a plant variety. To produce a copy of; imitate closely: "The look has been cloned into cliché" (Cathleen McGuigan). v.   intr. To grow as a clone. [Greek klōn, twig.] clon'al (klō'nəl) adj., clon'al·ly adv., clon'er n.

clone

A living system that is genetically identical to its ancestor (that is, it has exactly the same DNA molecules). Because each cell contains the DNA molecules that characterize an individual, it is, in principle, possible to replicate, or reproduce, complex living systems in the laboratory.

Note: The first cloned mammal, a sheep named Dolly, was born in Scotland in 1996. DNA from an adult donor was placed into an egg, which was then implanted in the uterus of another sheep. Since that time, mice, cows, and pigs have been cloned.

Note: There is a major debate on the ethical aspects (see bioethics) of cloning, especially as applied to human beings. Therapeutic cloning involves the placing of adult DNA in an egg for the express purpose of creating stem cells for medical purposes. Reproductive cloning involves the placement of adult DNA into an egg and the implantation of the egg into a uterus for the purpose of creating a viable fetus.

Note: Clone is often used informally to indicate a close copy or resemblance: “This new computer is a clone of the IBM model.”

clone

n.
1. An exact duplicate: "Our product is a clone of their product." Implies a legal reimplementation from documentation or by reverse-engineering. Also connotes lower price.
2. A shoddy, spurious copy: "Their product is a clone of our product."
3. A blatant ripoff, most likely violating copyright, patent, or trade secret protections: "Your product is a clone of my product." This use implies legal action is pending.
4. `PC clone:' a PC-BUS/ISA or EISA-compatible 80x86-based microcomputer (this use is sometimes spelled `klone' or `PClone'). These invariably have much more bang for the buck than the IBM archetypes they resemble.
5. In the construction `Unix clone': An OS designed to deliver a Unix-lookalike environment without Unix license fees, or with additional `mission-critical' features such as support for real-time programming.
6. v. To make an exact copy of something. "Let me clone that" might mean "I want to borrow that paper so I can make a photocopy" or "Let me get a copy of that file before you mung it".

clone  (n.)

Main Entry: ¹clone
Pronunciation: 'klOn
Function: noun
1 : the aggregate of the asexually produced progeny of an individual; also : a group of replicas of all or part of a macromolecule (as DNA or an antibody)
2 : an individual grown from a single somatic cell of its parent and genetically identicalto it —clon·al /'klOn-^&l/ adjective —clon·al·ly /-^&l-E/ adverb

clone (klōn)
n.

1. A group of genetically identical cells descended from a single common ancestor, such as a bacterial colony whose members arose from a single original cell as a result of binary fission.
2. An organism descended asexually from a single ancestor, such as a plant produced by layering or a polyp produced by budding.
3. A replica of a DNA sequence, such as a gene, produced by genetic engineering.

v. cloned, clon·ing, clones

1. To make multiple identical copies of a DNA sequence.
2. To establish and maintain pure lineages of a cell under laboratory conditions.
3. To reproduce or propagate asexually.

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clon'al (klō'nəl) adj.

clone   (klōn)  Pronunciation Key  Noun   A cell, group of cells, or organism that is produced asexually from and is genetically identical to a single ancestor. The cells of an individual plant or animal, except for gametes and some cells of the immune system, are clones because they all descend from a single fertilized cell and are genetically identical. A clone may be produced by fission, in the case of single-celled organisms, by budding, as in the hydra, or in the laboratory by putting the nucleus of a diploid cell into an egg that has had its nucleus removed. Some plants can produce clones from horizontal stems, such as runners. Clones of other cells and some plants and animals can also be produced in a laboratory. See also therapeutic cloning. A copy of a sequence of DNA, as from a gene, that is produced by genetic engineering. The clone is then transplanted into the nucleus of a cell from which genetic material has been removed. Verb   To produce or grow a cell, group of cells, or organism from a single original cell. To make identical copies of a DNA sequence. See more at genetic engineering.

clone jargon
1. An exact copy of a product, made legally or illegally, from documentation or by reverse engineering, and usually cheaper.
E.g. "PC clone": a PC-BUS/ISA, EISA, VESA, or PCI compatible x86-based microcomputer (this use is sometimes misspelled "klone" or "PClone"). These invariably have much more bang per buck than the IB PCM they resemble.
E.g. "Unix clone": An operating system designed to deliver a Unix-like environment without Unix licence fees or with additional "mission-critical" features such as support for real-time programming.
2. A clonebot.
[The Jargon File]
(2000-06-15)