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nonadaptive

adjective
non·​adap·​tive | \ ËŒnän-É™-ˈdap-tiv How to pronounce nonadaptive (audio) , -a-\

Definition of nonadaptive

: not contributing to the fitness, performance, or survival of an organism or its parts : not arising by adaptation : not adaptive Organisms are integrated systems and adaptive change in one part can lead to nonadaptive modifications of other features …— Stephen Jay Gould nonadaptive behavior

Examples of nonadaptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Even prior to this study, the two concepts — adaptation versus exaptation (drawn from nonadaptive traits or traits adapted for another purpose) — were difficult to separate. — Quanta Magazine, "Evolution as Opportunist," 4 Sep. 2013

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nonadaptive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of nonadaptive

1872, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for nonadaptive

nonadaptive

adjective
non·​adap·​tive | \ ËŒnän-É™-ˈdap-tiv, -a-ˈ How to pronounce nonadaptive (audio) \

Medical Definition of nonadaptive

: not serving to adapt the individual to the environment nonadaptive traits

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