maladaptation
|mal/ad/ap/ta/tion|
C1
/ˌmæl.æd.æpˈteɪ.ʃən/
poor adaptation
Etymology
Etymology Information
'maladaptation' originates from the prefix 'mal-' meaning 'bad' and the word 'adaptation' from Latin 'adaptare,' meaning 'to fit.'
Historical Evolution
'maladaptation' evolved from the combination of 'mal-' and 'adaptation' in English, maintaining its meaning of poor adaptation.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'poor adaptation,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a trait that is more harmful than helpful, reducing the fitness of an organism.
The bright coloration of the fish turned out to be a maladaptation, making it more visible to predators.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45