adaptation

Pronunciation key ( ad′əp-tā′-shən ) ( ad′ap-tā′shən)

ad•ap•ta•tion

n.

[Fr.; LL. adaptatio, see ADAPT.; L. aptus fit, Fr. adaptare, to fit].

1. Adapting or being adapted.
2. A thing which results from becoming adapted such as a play being an adaptation of a novel.
3. In biology, a change in structure, development of a peculiar characteristic in an organism's physiology or behavior which better enables it to better fit in and survive in its particular environment.
4. In physiology, the power the eye has of adjusting to variations in light.
5. In sociology, a change in behavior to conform to cultural patterns.

References

Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955