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exaptation - 2 dictionary results
ex⋅ap⋅ta⋅tion
[eg-zap-tey-shuh
n, ek-sap-] 
–noun Biology.
| 1. | a process in which a feature acquires a function that was not acquired through natural selection. |
| 2. | a feature having a function for which it was not originally adapted or selected. |
| 3. | a morphological or physiological feature that predisposes an organism to adapt to a different environment or lifestyle. |
| 4. | predisposition toward adaptation. |
Related forms:
ex⋅apt⋅ed, adjective
ex⋅ap⋅tive [eg-zap-tiv, ig-, ek-sap-] , adjective
, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
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Link To exaptation
ex·ap·ta·tion (ěg'zāp-tā'shən) n. Biology The utilization of a structure or feature for a function other than that for which it was developed through natural selection. [ex- + (ad)aptation.] ex·ap'ted adj., ex·ap'tive adj. |
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
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
