Characters remaining: 500/500
Translation

neotony

Academic
Friendly

Word: Neotony

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Neotony refers to a condition in which adult individuals of a species retain features that are usually associated with their juvenile (young) stages. This means that as they grow up, they still keep some characteristics that you would typically see in younger members of their species.

Example:
  • In some species of salamanders, adults keep their gills, which are features usually found in their younger forms. This is an example of neotony.
Usage Instructions:
  • You can use "neotony" when discussing biology, animal behavior, or evolutionary traits. It is a more technical term and might not come up in everyday conversation, but it’s useful in scientific contexts.
Advanced Usage:
  • Neotony can be discussed in evolutionary biology, particularly when examining how certain traits may be advantageous in a specific environment. For example, researchers might study how neotony helps certain amphibians adapt to their habitats.
Word Variants:
  • Neotenous (adjective): Describing something that exhibits neotony. For example, "The neotenous features of the axolotl allow it to live in water throughout its life."
  • Neoteny (noun): This is often used interchangeably with "neotony," but it can refer more broadly to the phenomenon itself without the emphasis on the state.
Different Meanings:
  • In a broader sense, neotony can also refer to the retention of youthful characteristics in humans or other animals, sometimes used metaphorically to describe behaviors or traits that might be considered childlike.
Synonyms:
  • Juvenilization
  • Youthfulness (in a broader context)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
  • While there aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "neotony," you might encounter phrases like "acting like a kid" or "young at heart" that suggest retaining youthful traits.
Summary:

In summary, "neotony" is a scientific term that describes how some adult animals keep juvenile features. It is mostly used in biology and helps us understand certain adaptations in species.

Noun
  1. the state resulting when juvenile characteristics are retained by the adults of a species

Similar Spellings

Comments and discussion on the word "neotony"