SpellRight › Spelling
Rareexaptation
The correct spelling is exaptation.
How to pronounce exaptation
noun
Say it like: Exa-pta-sho-n
The correct spelling is exaptation. The use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which it initially evolved. For example: "Birds initially developed wings and feathers as a means of heat regulation. The use of wings for flight is an example of exaptation."
Usage Examples
“Birds initially developed wings and feathers as a means of heat regulation. The use of wings for flight is an example of exaptation.”
Definition
noun
- 1.The use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which it initially evolved.
- 2.(by extension) The promotion of meaningless or redundant material so that it does new grammatical (morphosyntactic or phonological) or semantic work.
Similar words
Words related in meaning — check their spelling too.