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neoteny Definition

ne·ot·eny (nē ät′'n ē)

noun

  1. the retention of juvenile characteristics in the adult
  2. the development of adult features in the juvenile, as the attainment of sexual maturity in some larvae; paedogenesis

Etymology: ModL neotenia < neo-, neo- + Gr teinein, to stretch: see tend

neoteny Related Forms
ne′o·te′nic (nē′ə tē′nik, -ten′ik) adjective or ne·ot·e′nousnē ät′'n əs

Browse dictionary entries near neoteny

  1. ‹ Neorican
  2. ‹ neorealism
  3. ‹ neoprene
  4. ‹ Neoplatonism
  5. ‹ neoplasty
  6. ‹ neoplasticism
  7. ‹ neoplastic
  8. ‹ neoplasm
  9. ‹ neoplasia
  10. ‹ neophyte
  1. neoteric ›
  2. Neotropical ›
  3. Neozoic ›
  4. Nepal ›
  5. Nepali ›
  6. nepenthe ›
  7. nephanalysis ›
  8. nepheline ›
  9. nephelinite ›
  10. nephelo- ›