# piwi

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpiwi/

## Definitions
1. A class of genes originally identified as encoding regulatory proteins responsible for maintaining incomplete differentiation in stem cells and maintaining the stability of cell division rates in germline cells.
2. a small Australian magpie lark, also known as a Murray magpie.

## Etymology
Short for P-element induced wimpy testis in Drosophila.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/piwi