Neotenic Meaning and Definition
Neotenic
Pronunciation
/ˈnɪətɛnɪk/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A developmental stage in which an individual, typically a juvenile, exhibits retained juvenile characteristics into adulthood, such as physical features or behaviors.
Etymology
The word “Neotenic” comes from the Greek words “neos” meaning “new” and “teknon” meaning “child”. It was coined in the mid-20th century to describe this unique developmental stage.
Usage Notes
Neotenic is often used in fields such as biology, psychology, and anthropology to describe species or individuals that exhibit prolonged juvenile traits. It can also be used more broadly to describe cultural or social phenomena where adults retain youthful characteristics or behaviors.
Cultural References
In popular culture, neotenic characteristics are often featured in fiction, such as “Peter Pan” as a symbol of eternal youth and innocence. In anthropological studies, the concept of neotenia has been used to explain cultural practices such as tattooing and piercings which are often associated with youthful rebellion.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The phrase “eternal youth” is often associated with neotenia, implying a state of preserved youth and vitality.
Related Words or Phrases
- Juvenile
- Youthful
- Preadolescent
- Immaturity
Collocations
Neotenic is often collocated with words such as “pattern”, “trait”, or “phenomenon” to describe the prolonged expression of juvenile characteristics.
Frequency of Use
Neotenic is a relatively rare term in everyday language, but it is often used in academic and scientific contexts to describe specific biological or psychological phenomena.
Common Misspellings
The most common misspellings of neotenic are “neoteric” and “neotic” which are often confused due to the similarity in spelling and pronunciation.