To join two pieces of rope, film, wire, or other material together by overlapping or connecting the ends.
From Dutch 'splissen,' possibly related to Old Norse words for splitting. Used historically in nautical contexts before becoming relevant to film editing and genetics.
DNA splicing in genetic engineering literally works like the rope-splicing that sailors did for centuries—you cut the strands and braid them together—which is why editing genes is called 'genetic splicing' and uses that old nautical vocabulary.
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