pedomorphism

American  

[ped-uh-mawr-fiz-uhm, pee-duh-] / ˌpɛd əˈmɔr fɪz əm, ˌpi də- /

noun

Biology.

1. a speeding up of the rate of development, resulting in an adult form that has the appearance of its larval or juvenile ancestor.

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Other Word Forms

• pedomorphic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pedomorphism

pedo- ¹ + -morphism