|dau̇(ə)r+ noun
or dauer·modi·fi·ka·tion +mōdēfēkätsēˈōn
( plural dauermodifications -shənz ; or dauermodifikati·o·nen -ēˈōnən)
Etymology: German dauermodifikation, from dauer-, long-lasting, permanent + modifikation modification, from French modification — more at modification
: an acquired character transmitted through the cytoplasm to several succeeding generations but not incorporated into the permanent heredity of the strain