Noun: sticky end
- An end of DNA in which one strand of the double helix extends a few units beyond the other
"Sticky ends facilitate the joining of DNA fragments in genetic engineering"
- [informal] An unpleasant or unfortunate outcome
"The criminal met a sticky end after double-crossing his partners"
Derived forms: sticky ends
Type of: deoxyribonucleic acid, desoxyribonucleic acid, DNA
Encyclopedia: Sticky end