paedomorphic

See also: pædomorphic

English

WOTD – 9 July 2008

Alternative forms

• pædomorphic
• pedomorphic

Etymology

From paedo- +‎ -morphic.

Pronunciation

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

• Audio (US)

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  Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)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, published 2012, page 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