adj 1  :  relating to or constituting one of a pair of contrasting colors that produce a neutral color when combined in suitable proportions  2  :  characterized by molecular complementarity : esp  :  characterized by the capacity for precise pairing of purine and pyrimidine bases between strands of DNA and sometimes RNA such that the structure of one strand determines the other com*ple*men*ta*ri*ly adv com*ple*men*ta*ri*ness n 
 
   
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2024.