paedomorphic

See also: pædomorphic

English
WOTD – 9 July 2008

Alternative forms

Etymology

From paedo- +‎ -morphic.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /piːdə(ʊ)ˈmɔːfɪk/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌpidəˈmɔɹfɪk/, /ˌpɛdəˈmɔɹfɪk/
  • Audio (US)(file)
    ,
    Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɔː(r)fɪk

Adjective

paedomorphic (comparative more paedomorphic, superlative most paedomorphic)

  1. Of, relating to, or resulting from the retention of juvenile characteristics by an adult. [from 19th c.]
    • 2011, Steven Pinker, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Penguin 2012, p. 744:
      Based on pedomorphic changes in the fossils of Paleolithic humans, Wrangham has suggested that a similar process has been taking place in human evolution during the past thirty to fifty thousand years, and may still be taking place.

Synonyms
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