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neotenic

 - 2 dictionary results
ne·ot·e·ny   (nē-ŏt'n-ē)   
n.  

  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.


[New Latin neotenia : neo- + Greek teinein, ten-, to extend; see tenesmus.]
ne'o·ten'ic (nē'ə-těn'ĭk, -tē'nĭk), ne·ot'e·nous (-ŏt'n-əs) 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.
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neotenic

adjective
of or relating to or characterized by neoteny; "neotenic development" 
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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