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kin selection

noun
Updated on: 19 Mar 2018
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Definition of kin selection

: a theory of natural selection which states that a usually altruistic behavior or attribute that lowers the fitness of a particular individual is selected for if it increases the probability of survival and reproduction of related kin who possess some or all of the same genes as the altruistic individual

Recent Examples of kin selection from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kin selection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of kin selection

1975

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

kin selection

noun \ ˈkin- \

medical Definition of kin selection

: a theory of natural selection which states that a usually altruistic behavior or attribute that lowers the fitness of a particular individual is selected for if it increases the probability of survival and reproduction of related kin who possess some or all of the same genes as the altruistic individual

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