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neoteny

(nē ät′'n ē)

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

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

Related Forms:

neotenic adjective or neotenous

See neoteny in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin neotenia

Origin: : neo-

Origin: + Greek teinein, ten-, to extend; see tenesmus

.

Related Forms:

neˌo·tenˈic (nēˌə-tĕnˈĭk, -tēˈnĭk), ne·otˈe·nous (-ŏtˈn-əs) adjective

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