heterosis

[het-uh-roh-sis]

noun Genetics.

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

Origin of heterosis

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

Also called hybrid vigor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for heterosis

heterosis

noun

biology another name for hybrid vigour

Word Origin for heterosis

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

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