neoteny

Definitions

1. The retention of juvenile characteristics in the adult.
   countable, uncountable
2. The sexual maturity of an organism still in its larval stage.
   countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Most amphibians are aquatic only while young, but some amphibians with neoteny remain⟳ aquatic even as adults.”

“Richard Wrangham has noted that the domestication of animals usually tames them by slowing down components of the developmental timetable to retain⟳ juvenile traits into adulthood, a process⟳ called pedomorphy or neoteny.”

CEFR level