Neoteny
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /niˈɒtəni/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Neoteny is a noun meaning (biology) The retention of juvenile characteristics in the adult.
Meaning
(biology) The retention of juvenile characteristics in the adult.
More Meanings
- (biology) The sexual maturity of an organism still in its larval stage.
Example Sentences
Most amphibians are aquatic only while young, but some amphibians with neoteny remain aquatic even as adults.
Richard Wrangham has noted that the domestication of animals usually tames them by slowing down components of the developmental timetable to retain juvenile traits into adulthood, a process called pedomorphy or neoteny.
Word Forms
- neotenies
Synonyms for neoteny
Depending on context, synonyms include pedomorphism.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include pedomorphosis, pedomorphism, juvenilization, paedomorphy, paedomorphosis, paedomorphism.
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Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.