DNA
UK[ˌdiː.enˈeɪ]US[ˌdiː.enˈeɪ]
n
A chemical present in the cells of all living things that carries genetic information
Etymology
DNA is an initialism, a word formed from the initial letters of the compound term "deoxyribonucleic acid". The full term describes the molecule's chemical structure: "deoxyribo-" refers to the deoxyribose sugar that forms part of its backbone, and "nucleic acid" identifies it as a complex organic substance found in cell nuclei. The concept and the abbreviation emerged in the mid-20th century with the groundbreaking discovery of the molecule's double-helix structure, which revealed its fundamental role in storing and transmitting hereditary instructions. Today, "DNA" has transcended its technical origins to become a common metaphor in English for the essential, identifying characteristics of any entity.
Analysis
DNA is an initialism for "deoxyribonucleic acid". It is not segmented into morphemes based on its current spelling.
Examples
The police used DNA evidence to identify the suspect.
Scientists are studying the DNA of ancient plants to understand their evolution.
His adventurous spirit is in his DNA; he comes from a long line of explorers.