neoteny
noun
- the retention of juvenile characteristics in the adult
- the development of adult features in the juvenile, as the attainment of sexual maturity in some larvae; paedogenesis
See neoteny in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(nē-ŏtˈn-ē)
noun- Retention of juvenile characteristics in the adults of a species, as among certain amphibians.
- The attainment of sexual maturity by an organism still in its larval stage.
Related Forms:
- neˌo·tenˈic (nēˌə-tĕnˈĭk, -tēˈnĭk), ne·otˈe·nous (-ŏtˈn-əs) adjective
Learn more about neoteny
link/cite
print
suggestion box