# DNA

Pronunciation: say "dee-en-AY" US /ˌdiˌɛnˈeɪ/, UK /ˌdiːɛnˈeɪ/

## Noun

1. Initialism of deoxyribonucleic acid. — Initialism of deoxyribonucleic acid (“a nucleic acid found in all living things (and some non-living things such as certain viruses) which consists of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix; encoded in its structure are genetic instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction”).
   - Simple: Initialism of deoxyribonucleic acid. It is the chemical in cells that carries the instructions for how living things grow.
   - _Forensic teams matched the DNA found at the scene to a suspect._
   - _The virus injects its DNA into the host cell and hijacks its machinery._
2. An organism's genetic material, the part of it in which its inherited information is stored. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: The material inside living things that carries the traits passed from parents to children.
   - _The ancestry test compares your DNA against samples from around the world._
   - _Identical twins share exactly the same DNA._
3. The fundamental nature or values of a person or organization, especially when seen as inborn and unchangeable.
   - Simple: The basic nature or values of a person or group that seem fixed and unable to change.
   - _A restless drive to innovate is written into the firm's DNA._
   - _A love of storytelling runs through the whole family's DNA._

## Verb

4. To run a laboratory analysis of the deoxyribonucleic acid in a sample taken from someone.
   - Simple: To test a sample of someone's DNA, often to find out who they are.
   - _Investigators DNA every piece of evidence recovered from the scene._
   - _The coroner's office DNA'd the remains to establish their identity._
11. To place someone under an order barring them from being issued a firearm on grounds of mental illness. *(US)*
   - Simple: To order that someone not be given a firearm because of a mental illness.
   - _The board voted to DNA the recruit following the evaluation._
   - _Medical staff DNA'd two enlisted men that week._

## Phrase

5. Used in appointment records to indicate that a person did not attend.
   - Simple: Used in records to show that a person did not come to their appointment.
   - _The clinic's system flagged her as DNA when she failed to show._
   - _Any booking left as DNA is reviewed at the end of the day._
6. Used to indicate that a person did not arrive for a scheduled appointment.
   - Simple: Used in records to show that a person did not arrive for an appointment.
   - _The driver logged the pickup as DNA once the wait time ran out._
   - _Two of this morning's slots ended up marked DNA._
7. Used on forms to indicate that a particular item does not apply.
   - Simple: Used on forms to show that something does not apply in a certain case.
   - _Several fields on the application came back marked DNA._
   - _She entered DNA wherever the question had no bearing on her case._
8. Used to indicate that a person did not answer a call or message.
   - Simple: Used in records to show that a person did not answer a call or question.
   - _Half the contacts on the list came back as DNA._
   - _The interviewer recorded the number as DNA after repeated attempts._
9. Used as a warning that one should not assume something is true.
   - Simple: A short reminder meaning that you should not take something for granted.
   - _He pinned a large DNA above his desk as a daily check on his own habits._
   - _The checklist opened with a blunt DNA before listing the steps._
10. A military or police order indicating that a person should not be issued a firearm. *(US)*
   - Simple: An order meaning that a person should not be given a firearm.
   - _Command placed the soldier on DNA pending a psychiatric evaluation._
   - _Anyone marked DNA must surrender their service weapon at once._
12. An initialism for drugs and alcohol, referring to the two together.
   - Simple: A short way to write or say drugs and alcohol.
   - _The caseworker's notes listed DNA problems, mainly cocaine and heavy drinking, as the reason for the eviction._
   - _The band's early tours were a blur of DNA, and the drummer spent two months in rehab afterward._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–4** — The noun is an initialism of 'deoxyribonucleic acid', and the verb is derived from the noun.
**Meanings 5–12** — An initialism of various terms, with the verb sense derived from one of the noun senses.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/dna (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).