heterosis

[het-uh-roh-sis]

noun

Genetics.

1. the increase in growth, size, fecundity, function, yield, or other characters in hybrids over those of the parents.

heterosis

/ ˌhɛtəˈrəʊsɪs /

noun

1. biology another name for hybrid vigour

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterosis¹

First recorded in 1910–15, heterosis is from the Late Greek word hetérōsis an alteration. See hetero-, -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterosis¹

C19: from Late Greek: alteration, from Greek heteroioun to alter, from heteros other, different

Example Sentences

However, the heterosis effect no longer persists in the subsequent generations of these hybrids due to the segregation of genetic information.

From Science Daily

But the neat, perfectly formed, soft-domed roses also remind me of hybrid vigor, or heterosis, a term used in genetics.

From The New Yorker

In addition to allelic variation, the variation in gene content may contribute to heterosis, as has been suggested for maize.

From Nature

“But there is still no consensus as to what causes heterosis,”  Lippman said. 

From US News

But when one copy is working, you see the heterosis.

From Reuters