neoteny
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.ne·o·te·ny
noun \nē-ˈä-tə-nē\Definition of NEOTENY
1
: retention of some larval or immature characters in adulthood
2
: attainment of sexual maturity during the larval stage
— ne·o·ten·ic \ˌnē-ə-ˈte-nik\ adjective
Origin of NEOTENY
New Latin neotenia, from ne- + Greek teinein to stretch — more at thin
First Known Use: 1901
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