mutate
/mjuːˈteɪt/·뮤테이트·verb
to undergo a change, especially in genetic structure
LatinCEFR C1
Root
Latin 'mutare' (to change)
Latin mutare (to change) → mutatus (changed) → English mutate (17th c.)
In a word
Latin mutare = 'to change'. A root that named change itself. The mut family unfolds modes of changing — mutate (to undergo change), mutation (change itself), mutant (one who changed), immutable (unchangeable), commute (to switch places = travel daily). When a virus "mutates," we are still pronouncing the Latin verb for change.
Examples
Viruses mutate quickly.
The cells mutated under radiation.
Languages mutate over centuries.
Related
mutationmutantmutableimmutablecommute