morgan
morgan — noun
1. a unit used in genetics to measure how far apart two genes sit on the same chrom
a unit used in genetics to measure how far apart two genes sit on the same chromosome, based on how often they separate when chromosomes swap segments during cell division — one morgan equals 100% recombination frequency.
When Lara mapped the fruit-fly genes, she found two markers about 0.5 morgan apart on the chromosome.
quantitative expression: [number] morgan apart
Hiro's genetics report showed that the gene pair had a recombination frequency close to one full morgan.
recombination frequency; scientific context
Dr. Ravindra calculated that the two fly genes were only 0.3 morgans apart on the same chromosome.
measurement pattern: [number] morgans apart
Because one morgan is so large, geneticists write map distances in centimorgans, each equal to one-hundredth of a morgan.
ratio expression: centimorgan = 1/100 morgan
Élise told the class that two genes positioned one morgan apart are inherited independently about half the time.
- one morgan
- 0.5 morgan
- morgan apart
- morgan distance
- centimorgan
the practical subunit; 1 cM = 0.01 morgan
Usage Note
Almost never used in everyday genetics work — researchers nearly always refer to the smaller centimorgan (cM). A single morgan equals 100 centimorgans.
2. John Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), a powerful American banker and financier who h
John Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), a powerful American banker and financier who helped reorganise major US railroads and founded the financial firm that bears his name, known for personally rescuing the US economy during the Panic of 1907.
In 1901, J.P. Morgan helped create the United States Steel Corporation, the world's first billion-dollar company.
creation of US Steel; corporate finance
During the Panic of 1907, Morgan summoned the city's top bankers to his library to arrange emergency funding for failing banks.
The Morgan Library in New York City holds J.P. Morgan's rare books and manuscripts collection.
cultural legacy; Morgan Library
J.P. Morgan's power over American finance was so great that he seemed like a one-man central bank.
Many historians describe J.P. Morgan as the most influential figure in American finance during the Gilded Age.
Gilded Age context
- J.P. Morgan
- J.P. Morgan Chase
- Morgan Library
- Panic of 1907
- John Pierpont Morgan
full formal name, used in biographical references
Usage Note
J.P. Morgan (1837–1913) is the father of J.P. Morgan Jr. (1867–1943). In modern writing, 'J.P. Morgan' alone almost always refers to the father unless the context specifies 'Jr.' The financial firm JPMorgan Chase is named after him.
Common Mistakes
3. a medium-sized, sturdy horse breed that was developed in New England from a sing
a medium-sized, sturdy horse breed that was developed in New England from a single foundation stallion named Figure, valued for its gentle nature, endurance, and ability to work under saddle or in harness.
The Morgan is often chosen for trail riding because of its calm disposition and sure-footedness.
Morgan as breed name with definite article
Evelyn competed in the dressage event riding a handsome chestnut Morgan stallion.
Many small farms in Vermont still raise Morgans for pulling carriages and working cattle.
plural Morgans for multiple horses of the breed
On the camping trip, Takeshi's well-trained Morgan carried him over rough mountain trails for hours without tiring.
In 1961, Vermont named the Morgan its official state animal, honoring the breed's long history in the region.
official state animal recognition
- Morgan horse
- Morgan stallion
- ride a Morgan
- raise Morgans
Usage Note
When referring to the breed as a whole, use 'the Morgan' (singular with definite article). For individual horses, use 'a Morgan' or 'Morgans' (plural). The breed name is always capitalised.
4. John Pierpont Morgan Jr. (1867–1943), the son of financier J.P. Morgan, who took
John Pierpont Morgan Jr. (1867–1943), the son of financier J.P. Morgan, who took over the family banking business after his father's death and led it through World War I and the Great Depression.
J.P. Morgan Jr. took control of the banking house after his father passed away in 1913.
succession; generational transition
During World War I, Morgan Jr. arranged huge loans for Britain and France through his bank.
Unlike his father, J.P. Morgan Jr. spent much of his time managing the family's art collection.
contrast with father; art patronage
In 1933, J.P. Morgan Jr. testified before Congress about the role of large banks in causing the Great Depression.
- J.P. Morgan Jr.
- the younger Morgan
- Jack Morgan
- Jack Morgan
informal nickname used by family and close associates
Usage Note
To distinguish father from son in writing, use 'J.P. Morgan Jr.' or 'the younger Morgan' on first reference. After that, the context of the era makes clear which is meant.
5. Sir Henry Morgan (1635–1688), a Welsh privateer and later Lieutenant Governor of
Sir Henry Morgan (1635–1688), a Welsh privateer and later Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica who led raids against Spanish settlements in the Caribbean during the 1660s and 1670s.
Henry Morgan led a fleet of privateer ships to capture Panama City from the Spanish in 1671.
privateer raid on Panama City
After his raids, Morgan was knighted by King Charles II and appointed to govern Jamaica.
The rum brand bearing Morgan's name has made him famous far beyond Caribbean history books.
commercial association with rum brand
Historians disagree about whether Henry Morgan was a brutal pirate or a legitimate English naval commander.
- Henry Morgan
- Sir Henry Morgan
- Captain Morgan
Usage Note
Sir Henry Morgan is routinely called 'Henry Morgan' in both popular and academic writing. The knighthood title 'Sir' is used only in formal references.
6. Thomas Hunt Morgan (1866–1945), an American geneticist who won the Nobel Prize i
Thomas Hunt Morgan (1866–1945), an American geneticist who won the Nobel Prize in 1933 for discovering the role of chromosomes in heredity through experiments on fruit flies.
Thomas Hunt Morgan's fruit-fly experiments proved that genes are carried on chromosomes.
core discovery: genes on chromosomes
Morgan bred thousands of generations of Drosophila in his laboratory at Columbia University.
Thomas Hunt Morgan found a white-eyed mutation in a single fruit fly in 1910, opening the field of modern genetics.
famous white-eye mutation discovery
In 1933, Thomas Hunt Morgan won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery that chromosomes carry hereditary information.
Nobel Prize recognition
Morgan's students, such as Alfred Sturtevant and Calvin Bridges, went on to establish genetics programs at universities around the world.
- Thomas Hunt Morgan
- T.H. Morgan
- Morgan's fruit flies
- Drosophila experiments
- T.H. Morgan
standard abbreviated name used in academic writing
Usage Note
Thomas Hunt Morgan is the namesake of the 'morgan' unit used in genetic mapping. He is sometimes called 'T.H. Morgan' in academic citations.
7. William Wilson Morgan (1906–1994), an American astronomer who developed the MK s
William Wilson Morgan (1906–1994), an American astronomer who developed the MK spectral classification system for stars and helped map the spiral structure of the Milky Way galaxy.
William Wilson Morgan created the Morgan–Keenan system that astronomers still use to classify stars by their spectra.
MK spectral classification system
Morgan's maps of the Milky Way revealed that its spiral arms are dotted with bright young stars.
The Morgan–Keenan luminosity classes that Morgan helped define are taught in every introductory astronomy course.
MK luminosity classes; educational reach
Morgan worked at Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin for most of his long career.
- W.W. Morgan
- Morgan–Keenan system
- MK classification
- Yerkes Observatory
- W.W. Morgan
standard abbreviated name in astronomy publications
Usage Note
In astronomy literature, 'W.W. Morgan' is standard. His MK classification system remains the global standard for stellar spectral typing.
8. John Hunt Morgan (1825–1864), a Confederate cavalry officer during the American
John Hunt Morgan (1825–1864), a Confederate cavalry officer during the American Civil War who led a famous raid through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio in 1863.
John Hunt Morgan led over two thousand cavalrymen on a raid that covered a thousand miles.
Morgan's Raid — scale and distance
Morgan's cavalry destroyed Union supply depots and railroad bridges during the summer of 1863.
After being captured, John Hunt Morgan escaped from the Ohio State Penitentiary and returned to fighting.
prison escape
Today, roadside markers along the route of Morgan's Raid help tourists trace the cavalry's path through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.
- Morgan's Raid
- John Hunt Morgan
- Confederate cavalry
Usage Note
His 1863 campaign is almost always called 'Morgan's Raid' in Civil War literature. The name 'Morgan' alone may cause confusion with other historical figures of the same surname.
Daniel Morgan
idiomDaniel Morgan (1736–1802), an American military officer who led riflemen during the American Revolutionary War and won a decisive victory at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781.
Daniel Morgan trained his sharpshooters to reload while running toward the enemy line.
At Cowpens, Morgan used a clever retreat-and-surround plan to defeat a larger British force.
Word family
- centimorgannoun
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/2
All four terms refer to members of the Morgan banking dynasty, but they point to different people and registers. 'J.P. Morgan' is the default name for the father (1837–1913) in both popular and financial writing. 'John Pierpont Morgan' is the full formal name, used in biographical prefaces or official documents. 'J.P. Morgan Jr.' or 'John Pierpont Morgan Jr.' identifies the son (1867–1943), who took over after his father's death — if the text discusses the 1920s or later, it is likely about the son. 'Jack Morgan' was the son's private nickname, used mostly in personal letters and memoirs. In most historical and financial writing, saying 'J.P. Morgan raised capital for US Steel' refers to the father, while 'J.P. Morgan Jr. arranged loans for the Allies' refers to the son.
Common collocations
Nouns
- morgan unit
- Morgan horse
- Morgan breed
Etymology
The word 'morgan' has several origins because it is used for different concepts named after different people. The genetic unit and the horse breed both take their name from individuals named Morgan. The genetic unit (1920s) was named after the American geneticist Thomas Hunt Morgan, who won a Nobel Prize for his work on fruit-fly chromosomes. The horse breed (early 1800s) was named after Justin Morgan, the owner of the foundation stallion Figure. The personal name Morgan itself comes from an Old Welsh name Morcant, composed of 'mor' (sea) and 'cant' (circle), meaning 'sea chief' or 'sea dweller.'