acquired characteristics

A form of acquired characteristic — A change or modification to a living organism that occurs during its lifetime, that is not incorporated into its DNA, and hence cannot be passed on to its offspring; for example, the loss of a limb in an accident, or stunted growth due to inadequate nutrition.

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Meanings

noun
  1. pluralplural of acquired characteristic
Cite this entry
APA

acquired characteristics. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/acquired%20characteristics

MLA

“acquired characteristics.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/acquired%20characteristics. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “acquired characteristics,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/acquired%20characteristics.

Source: acquired characteristics on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.