paedomorphosis

noun

pae·​do·​mor·​pho·​sis ˌpē-də-ˈmȯr-fə-səs 

: phylogenetic change that involves retention of juvenile characters by the adult

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from paed- + Greek morphōsis formation, from morphoun to form, from morphē form

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

paedomorphosis

noun

pae·​do·​mor·​pho·​sis

variants or pedomorphosis

-ˈmȯr-fə-səs 

plural paedomorphoses -ˌsēz 

: phylogenetic change that involves retention of juvenile characters by the adult