n.
Pronunciation: n ē - ' ä-t ə -n ē
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin neotenia, from ne- + Greek teinein to stretch ― more at THIN
Date: 1901
1 : retention of some larval or immature characters in adulthood
2 : attainment of sexual maturity during the larval stage
– ne · o · ten · ic \ ˌ n ē - ə - ' te-nik \ adjective