heterosis

[ het-uh-roh-sis ]

nounGenetics.

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.

Words Nearby heterosis

heteroscedastic
heterosex
heterosexism
heterosexual
heterosexuality
heterosis
heterosocial
heterosporous
heterospory
heterostracan
heterostyled

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for heterosis

heterosis

/ (ˌhɛtəˈrəʊsɪs) /

noun

biology another name for hybrid vigour

Origin of heterosis

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

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

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