aposematic

American

[ap-uh-suh-mat-ik] / ˌæp ə səˈmæt ɪk /

adjective

Zoology.

colored or constructed in a way that indicates special capabilities for defense.

aposematic British

/ ˌæpəsɪˈmætɪk /

adjective

(of the coloration of certain distasteful or poisonous animals) characterized by bright conspicuous markings, which predators recognize and learn to avoid; warning

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

aposematically

adverb

Etymology

Origin of aposematic

First recorded in 1885–90; apo- + sematic

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023