neotenous

1 9.9

Showing young features, like large eyes, in an adult animal or person

adjective
/niˈɑːtənəs/

Specialized

: neoténico

Examples

And a smaller, more neotenous brain enhanced his synaptic firing speed—a determinant of intelligence.

Fiction book (2002)
Scientists refer to a baby face as a neotenous facial structure, which is characterized by large round eyes and round cheeks.
When viewed alongside older peers, the neotenous features of children are often notable for their youthful appearance.
The species exhibits neotenous traits, retaining juvenile characteristics such as small size and playful behavior into adulthood.

Synonyms

neotenic

vsneotenous

Specialized

1 9.9

Having childlike features in adult life

has identical meaning but uses a different adjective form

How Juvenile

neotenous

Specialized

1 9.9

juvenile

173 4.2

youthful

79 3.1

mature

203 3.3

Surface Forms

neotenous positive

Morphology

neotenous = neoteny (transparent) = neoteny + ous

A standard adjective formed from the noun 'neoteny' with the productive suffix '-ous', meaning 'relating to neoteny'.

Etymology

The word neotenous comes from neoteny, made with the Greek part neo- meaning 'young' and a root that means 'to keep' or 'hold', so it literally says 'keeping youth'. That's why we call an adult neotenous when they keep childlike traits, like big eyes or round cheeks, into adult life.