intergrade

American  

[in-ter-greyd, in-ter-greyd] / ˈɪn tərˌgreɪd, ˌɪn tərˈgreɪd /

noun

1. an intermediate grade, form, stage, etc.

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verb (used without object)

intergraded, intergrading

1. to merge gradually, one into another, as different species through evolution.

intergrade British  

verb

1. (intr) (esp of biological species, etc) to merge one into another

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noun

1. an intermediate stage or form

Other Word Forms

• intergradation
  noun
• intergradational
  adjective
• intergradient
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of intergrade

First recorded in 1870–75; inter- + grade

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intergrade intergrading

Each of the fifty-seven animals studied from this region is an intergrade; some specimens combine the characters of three subspecies.

From The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 Kansas University Publications. by Stephen D. Durrant

Both the nesting habits and eggs of this variety are the same as the last, with which species, the birds gradually intergrade as their ranges approach. 308b.

From The Bird Book Illustrating in natural colors more than seven hundred North American birds; also several hundred photographs of their nests and eggs. by Chester A. (Chester Albert) Reed

Previously the two kinds were thought not to intergrade and were regarded as two species.

From Speciation of the Wandering Shrew by James S. Findley

However, all indications point to this area as being the region where aura and teter intergrade.

From Birds from Coahuila, Mexico by Emil K. Urban

They intergrade with trumbullensis in the size and shape of the zygomatic arches and tympanic bullae.

From The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 Kansas University Publications. by Stephen D. Durrant

Passing by many interesting members of the psychological series of intergrading forms, we reach the familiar animals like the cat and dog and horse which display what is called intelligence.

From The Doctrine of Evolution Its Basis and Its Scope by Henry Edward Crampton

There the lower elevations west of the Wasatch and Uinta mountains are inhabited by S. v. vagrans, the higher elevations by obscurus and where the ranges of the two abut intergrading populations occur.

From Speciation of the Wandering Shrew by James S. Findley

But I have never found intergrading color forms, and have not yet satisfied myself as to whether or not the two should be entitled to specific rank.

From Studies of American Fungi. Mushrooms, Edible, Poisonous, etc. by George Francis Atkinson

Therefore, ocius is properly to be treated as a subspecies of the series of intergrading forms of which talpoides is the earliest named.

From The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 Kansas University Publications. by Stephen D. Durrant

The peloric toad-flaxes are, as a rule, found surrounded by the normal type, but without intergrading forms.

From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Hugo de Vries