What does replicator mean?
A replicator is something that makes copies, especially a molecule, organism, device, or system capable of reproducing itself. In molecular biology, an RNA replicator is a self-copying RNA molecule, while in engineering the term may describe a machine or automated system that reproduces a model or design. More broadly, a replicator can be a person or organization that produces standardized copies of a product or representation. The word is useful because it identifies the agent or mechanism doing the reproducing rather than the process itself, which is called replication. Its application to self-copying biological systems also gives it a distinctive place in discussions of evolution, synthetic biology, robotics, and computation. Depending on context, it can sound precise and technical, although nontechnical speakers may occasionally use it to suggest repetitive or mechanical copying.
nounAn organism, molecule, device, or system capable of producing copies of itself or of a specified model. In molecular biology, the term most often denotes a self-replicating molecular entity.
- A biological entity or molecular structure capable of making copies of itself.
- A device or system designed to reproduce copies of a model, design, or other object.
- A person or organization that produces copies or representations of a model, design, or example.
"The researchers engineered an RNA replicator capable of copying itself under controlled conditions."
"The synthetic RNA replicator assembled a new copy of its own sequence."
"A three-dimensional printer can function as a replicator for small mechanical components."
The ordinary countable plural is used for multiple copying entities, biological replicators, or copying devices.
"Several RNA replicators were placed in separate reaction tubes."
A replicator does more than make a copy: it can carry the information needed to produce the next copy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does replicator come from?
Replicator was formed in English from replicate plus the suffix -or, which identifies an agent or instrument that performs an action. The verb replicate comes through Latin replicāre, meaning “to unfold” or “to copy,” from re-, meaning “again,” and plicāre, meaning “to fold.” Related English words such as replication and replicate preserve this history, while implication and duplicity are more distant cognates sharing the Latin root plicāre.
How replicator is actually used
The term is chiefly technical in biology, chemistry, and technology. In general communication it may sound specialized or imply a system that copies itself rather than merely duplicating an existing item.
Easily confused with replicator
Replicate is the verb, or sometimes an adjective, meaning to reproduce; a replicator is the person, organism, molecule, or device that performs the reproduction.