Clone

The term clone is derived from klōn, the Greek word for "twig". In horticulture, the spelling clon was used until the twentieth century. The final e came into use to indicate the vowel is a "long o" instead of a "short o"; see the references below on this point. Since the term entered the popular lexicon in a more general context, the spelling clone has been used exclusively. Also see cloning.

In genetics, a clone is a replica of all or part of a macromolecule (eg. DNA).
In botany, a clone is a branch that has been cut of from a mother plant below a internode and rooted, often with the help of a rooting liquid or powder containing hormones. When a full root ball has formed and the leaves sprout again the clone is a selfsufficient plant.
In computer science, a clone is a computer system based on another company's system and designed to be compatible with it.

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References

C.L. Pollard. "'Clon' versus 'clone'". Science (new series) 22:469, 1905.
C.L. Pollard. "On the spelling of 'clon'". Science (new series) 22:87-88, 1905.
W.T. Stearn. "The use of the term 'clone'". Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society 74:41-47, 1949.