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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.
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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. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for heterosis

heterosis

noun
  1. biology another name for hybrid vigour
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Word Origin for 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