dedifferentiation

[ dee-dif-uh-ren-shee-ey-shuhn ]

noun

, Biology.

1. a process by which structures or behaviors that were specialized for a specific function lose their specialization and become simplified or generalized.

dedifferentiation

/ diːˌdɪfəˌrɛnʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the reversion of the cells of differentiated tissue to a less specialized form

Word History and Origins

Origin of dedifferentiation¹

First recorded in 1915–20; de- + differentiation ( def )