paedomorphic

WOTD – 9 July 2008    

English

Alternative forms

• pædomorphic
• pedomorphic

Etymology

From paedo- + -morphic.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /piːdə(ʊ)ˈmɔːfɪk/
• (US) IPA: /ˌpidəˈmɔɹfɪk/, /ˌpɛdəˈmɔɹfɪk/

• Audio (US)

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  Audio (US)

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• 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

• neotenic

Related terms

• paedomorphism, pedomorphism