heterosis Hear it!

heterosis definition

hetero·sis (het′ər ō′sis)

noun

a phenomenon resulting from hybridization, in which offspring display greater vigor, size, resistance, etc. than the parents

Etymology: heter(o)- + -osis

Related Forms:

  • heterotic het′·er·ot′·ic (-ät′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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