A unit of heredity that is contrasted to the dominant gene.
Member of a pair of genes (an allele) that cannot express itself in the presence of its more dominant allele; it is expressed only in the homozygous state. For example, the gene for blue eyes is recessive and will not manifest itself if the gene for brown eyes (which is dominant) is also present; blue eyes will manifest themselves only if both genes are recessive.
A trait that is not expressed unless it is present in the genes received from both parents. A recessive trait may be apparent in the phenotype only if both alleles are recessive.