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neoteny

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neoteny

Main Entry:: ne·o·te·ny
Pronunciation:: \nē-ˈä-tə-nē\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: New Latin neotenia, from ne- + Greek teinein to stretch — more at thin
Date:: 1901

1 : retention of some larval or immature characters in adulthood 2 : attainment of sexual maturity during the larval stage

— ne·o·ten·ic

Listen to the pronunciation of neotenic

\ˌnē-ə-ˈte-nik\ adjective

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