dominant

Definition

The fifth major tone of a musical scale (five major steps above the note in question); thus G is the dominant of C, A of D, and so on.

Etymology

From Middle French dominant.

Example Sentences

• "Finally, if we suppose provisionally that the mutant genes are dominant just as often as they are recessive, selection will be far more severe in eliminating the disadvantageous dominants than in eliminating the disadvantageous recessives."
• "Landowners cannot afford to cut submerchantable trees, yet many hesitate to cut merchantable dominants and codominants at the risk of downgrading the residual stand."
• "This calendar is not for the faint of heart (unless you have some strong butch dominant to hold you while you swoon)"