aposematic

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English

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Etymology

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From apo- +‎ sematic.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˌæpə(ʊ)sɪˈmætɪk/, /-sɛ-/
  • Rhymes: -ætɪk
  • Hyphenation: ap‧o‧se‧mat‧ic

Adjective

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aposematic (comparative more aposematic, superlative most aposematic)

  1. (zoology, of a coloration or marking) That serves as a warning to predators, as of toxicity, especially falsely.
    • 1911, “Colours of Animals”, in The Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition, volume V, page 732:
      Episematic characters are far less common than aposematic, and these than cryptic; although, as regards the latter comparison, the opposite impression is generally produced from the fact that concealment is so successfully attained.
    • 2016, Justin O. Schmidt, The Sting of the Wild, Johns Hopkins University Press, →ISBN, page 6:
      Contrasting patterns of red and black are classic aposematic warnings that signal would-be predators to “back off, leave me alone … if you do not, you will regret the consequences.”
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Translations

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