Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

archallaxis

noun
ar·​chal·​lax·​is | \ˌärkəˈlaksə̇s\
plural archallaxes\ -​kˌsēz \

Definition of archallaxis 

biology

: the early deviation from an ancestral developmental pattern eliminating recapitulation

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for archallaxis

New Latin, from archi- + Greek allaxis exchange, barter, from allassein to exchange, from allos other

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about archallaxis

Share archallaxis

Statistics for archallaxis

Look-up Popularity

Comments on archallaxis

What made you want to look up archallaxis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

admonish

to express warning or disapproval

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Autumn Words of the Day 2018

  • a-top-down-image-of-road-through-an-autumn-forest
  • Which is a synonym of fugacious?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games