As an adjective, it describes someone or something that is more powerful, important, or noticeable than others. As a noun, it can refer to the dominant element, such as a dominant gene or the dominant musical note in a scale.
From Latin 'dominans, dominantis', present participle of 'dominari' meaning 'to rule', from 'dominus' meaning 'lord, master'. It came through Old French into English. The sense of 'ruling over' broadened into any kind of leading or prevailing position.
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