maladaptation

[mal-ad-uh p-tey-shuh n]

noun

incomplete, inadequate, or faulty adaptation.

Origin of maladaptation

First recorded in 1875–80; mal- + adaptation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for maladaptation

Historical Examples of maladaptation

For nothing can be clearer than that Nature is full of cruelty and maladaptation.
The Idea of God as Affected by Modern Knowledge
John Fiske
Out of that maladaptation and the discontent and rebellion will arise her neurosis.
The Nervous Housewife
Abraham Myerson

Word Origin and History for maladaptation

n.

1829, from mal- + adaptation.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper