acquired character

American  

noun

Genetics.

1. a noninheritable character that results from certain environmental influences.

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Etymology

Origin of acquired character

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The stadium isn’t old enough to feel outdated but is old enough to have acquired character.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2024

Deneuve, the darling of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg 32 years ago, has aged gracefully; her face has acquired character, a kind of pinched authority.

From Time Magazine Archive

No doubt the cold acts on the germinal cells as on the rest of the body, but the heredity of an acquired character is thus demonstrated.

From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste

The empty pretensions, subsisting on the vanished glories of the past, had suddenly acquired character and meaning.

From The Valiants of Virginia by Rives, Hallie Erminie

To prove that an inherited character is an acquired character is quite as good evidence as to show that an acquired character is inherited.

From Hormones and Heredity by Cunningham, J. T.