neoteny

Definition

The retention of juvenile characteristics in the adult.

Etymology

From German Neotenie, coined in 1884 by anatomist Julius Kollmann from Ancient Greek νέος (néos, “young”) + τείνειν (teínein, “to tense”).

Example Sentences

• "Most amphibians are aquatic only while young, but some amphibians with neoteny remain aquatic even as adults."
• "Richard Wrangham has noted that the domestication of animals usually tames them by slowing down components of the developmental timetable to retain juvenile traits into adulthood, a process called pedomorphy or neoteny."