aposematic

adjective

apo·​se·​mat·​ic ˌa-pə-si-ˈma-tik 

: being conspicuous and serving to warn

aposematic coloration in butterflies

aposematically

ˌa-pə-si-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of aposematic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The aposematic amphibians almost always evolve from species in the middle of that spectrum, those whose colors are shrouded unless in danger. — Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023

The minute creatures are vibrantly colored and speckled (a phenomena called aposematic coloration) in order to deter predators from eating them. — Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 26 Jan. 2022

Word History

Etymology

apo- + Greek sēmat-, sêma "sign, signal" + -ic entry 1 — more at semantic

Note: The term was introduced by the British biologist Edward Bagnall Poulton (1856-1943) in The Colours of Animals (London, 1890), p. 337: "The second head (Sematic Colours) includes Warning Colours and Recognition Markings: the former warn an enemy off, and are therefore called Aposematic; the latter assist an individual of the same species, and are termed Episematic."

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aposematic

• adiabatic
• aristocratic
• asymptomatic
• axiomatic
• diagrammatic
• diaphragmatic
• electrostatic
• endolymphatic
• epigrammatic
• homeostatic
• idiomatic
• magnetostatic