Definition of "polytene"

polytene

adjective
comparative more polytene, superlative most polytene
1. (molecular biology) Having very large chromosomes with many chromatids (arms).
  Quotations
  When this was done, it could be shown that the production of polytene chromosomes is not uniform for all chromosomes of a single nucleus, ie, some chromosomes are more polytene than others, […]
  1957, Carl P. Swanson, Cytology and Cytogenetics‎, page 300
noun
plural polytenes
1. (molecular biology) A very large chromosome with many chromatids (arms); a chromosome exhibiting polyteny
  Quotations
  Unlike normal chromosomes, polytenes are visible in a microscope even when cell division is not taking place.
  2002, John Michael Barry, Molecular Embryology‎, page 91