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adaptation

 - 5 dictionary results

ad⋅ap⋅ta⋅tion

  [ad-uhp-tey-shuhn]
Use adaptation in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of adapting.
2. the state of being adapted; adjustment.
3. something produced by adapting: an adaptation of a play for television.
4. Biology.
a. any alteration in the structure or function of an organism or any of its parts that results from natural selection and by which the organism becomes better fitted to survive and multiply in its environment.
b. a form or structure modified to fit a changed environment.
c. the ability of a species to survive in a particular ecological niche, esp. because of alterations of form or behavior brought about through natural selection.
5. Physiology. the decrease in response of sensory receptor organs, as those of vision, touch, temperature, olfaction, audition, and pain, to changed, constantly applied, environmental conditions.
6. Ophthalmology. the regulating by the pupil of the quantity of light entering the eye.
7. Also, a⋅dap⋅tion  [uh-dap-shuhn] . Sociology. a slow, usually unconscious modification of individual and social activity in adjustment to cultural surroundings.
Origin:
1600–10; < ML adaptātiōn- (s. of adaptātiō), equiv. to L adaptāt(us) (ptp. of adaptāre to adapt; see -ate 1 ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
ad⋅ap⋅ta⋅tion⋅al, adjective
ad⋅ap⋅ta⋅tion⋅al⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To adaptation
ad·ap·ta·tion   (ād'āp-tā'shən)   
n.  

    1. The act or process of adapting.

    2. The state of being adapted.

    3. Something, such as a device or mechanism, that is changed or changes so as to become suitable to a new or special application or situation.

    4. A composition that has been recast into a new form: The play is an adaptation of a short novel.

    1. Something, such as a device or mechanism, that is changed or changes so as to become suitable to a new or special application or situation.

    2. A composition that has been recast into a new form: The play is an adaptation of a short novel.

  3. Biology An alteration or adjustment in structure or habits, often hereditary, by which a species or individual improves its condition in relationship to its environment.

  4. Physiology The responsive adjustment of a sense organ, such as the eye, to varying conditions, such as light intensity.

  5. Change in behavior of a person or group in response to new or modified surroundings.

ad'ap·ta'tion·al adj., ad'ap·ta'tion·al·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

adaptation

The changes made by living systems in response to their environment. Heavy fur, for example, is one adaptation to a cold climate.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ad·ap·ta·tion
Pronunciation: "ad-"ap-'tA-sh&n, -&p-
Function: noun
1 : the act or process of adapting : the state of being adapted adaptation of the electric cautery knife to … surgery —George Blumer>
2 : adjustment to environmentalconditions: as a : adjustment of a sense organ to the intensity or quality of stimulation b : modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit forexistence under the conditions of its environment —compare ADJUSTMENT 1b —ad·ap·ta·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&n-&l/ adjective —ad·ap·ta·tion·al·ly /-E/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

adaptation ad·ap·ta·tion (ād'āp-tā'shən)
n.

  1. The acquisition of modifications in an organism that enable it to adjust to life in a new environment.

  2. An advantageous change in the function or constitution of an organ or tissue to meet new physiological conditions.

  3. Adjustment of the pupil and retina to varying degrees of illumination.

  4. A property of certain receptors through which they become less responsive or cease to respond to repeated or continued stimuli of constant intensity.

  5. The fitting, condensing, or contouring of a restorative dental material to a tooth or cast.

  6. The dynamic process in which the behavior and physiological mechanisms of an individual continually change to adjust to variations in living conditions.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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