How Do You Spell NEOTENY?

Pronunciation: [nˈiːə͡ʊtəni] (IPA)

The word "neoteny" is spelled as /niˈɑː.tə.ni/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is a biological term used to describe the retention of juvenile characteristics in an organism into adulthood. The first part of the word, "neo," means "new" or "recent," while the second part, "teny," refers to "retention." The spelling of the word is based on the Latin and Greek roots of the term, which are commonly used in scientific terminology. Proper spelling of the word is significant to avoid confusion and to ensure clarity in scientific discussions.

NEOTENY Meaning and Definition

1. Neoteny refers to the biological phenomenon where an organism retains juvenile or childlike traits well into adulthood. Derived from the Greek words "neo" meaning new and "teny" meaning retention, neoteny can be observed across various species, including humans.

   In humans, neoteny is characterized by the persistence of physical, behavioral, or psychological characteristics typically associated with youth. These may include a relatively large head, a lack of bodily hair, soft and pliable facial features, reduced skeletal robustness, and delayed maturation of sexual characteristics. Furthermore, neoteny can manifest in behavioral aspects such as curiosity, playfulness, and a prolonged dependence on caretakers.

   Neoteny is considered an important concept in evolutionary biology as it is thought to play a role in driving the processes of evolution and speciation. It is believed that neoteny can result from evolutionary changes in the timing and rate of development during an organism's life cycle, leading to the retention of characteristics that were previously only displayed during early stages of development.

   In a broader sense, neoteny can also refer to social or cultural characteristics that reflect youthful traits, such as a fascination with new technology or a penchant for more playful and carefree behavior. Neoteny, both in its biological and sociocultural aspects, continues to be a subject of study and discussion in various scientific fields, including biology, anthropology, and psychology.

Common Misspellings for NEOTENY

• beoteny
• meoteny
• jeoteny
• heoteny
• nwoteny
• nsoteny
• ndoteny
• nroteny
• n4oteny
• n3oteny
• neiteny
• nekteny
• nelteny
• nepteny
• ne0teny
• ne9teny
• neoreny
• neofeny
• neogeny
• neoyeny

Etymology of NEOTENY

The word "neoteny" comes from the combination of two Greek words: "neo" meaning "new" or "young", and "tenos" meaning "tension" or "stretching". Neoteny is a biological term that refers to the retention of juvenile or immature characteristics into adulthood. It was first used in the field of biology in the early 20th century to describe the phenomenon where certain species exhibit characteristics typical of their juvenile stage throughout their entire lives.

Similar spelling words for NEOTENY

• net ton,
• newton,
• neaten.

Plural form of NEOTENY is NEOTENIES