neoteny

(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

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

Related Forms:

See neoteny in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Retention of juvenile characteristics in the adults of a species, as among certain amphibians.
  2. 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

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Related Forms:

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

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