adaptation English · revision 10527

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1610|origins=fr adaptation|origins=la-lat adaptatio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌæd.æpˈteɪ.ʃən/, /ˌæd.əpˈteɪ.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|adaptation]], from Late Latin adaptātiō,^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(MWU 2024) a noun of action from adaptāre, to adjust,^(Etymonline) from ad-, to, and aptāre, to fit, from aptus, fitted (see [[adapt]] and [[apt]]).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of adapting or fitting one thing to another: 1610 in the OED, about 1600 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The state of being adapted, suitableness, is from 1677,^(OED 1989) and modifying something to suit new conditions from 1790.^(OED 1989) In 1859 two important senses appear: an adapted form or version of a work,^(OED 1989) and, in biology, the change by which an organism becomes fitted to its environment.^(OED 1989) The adjustment of the eye to light or darkness is from 1881.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1610 – the act of adapting.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1677 – the state of being adapted.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1790 – modification for new conditions.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1859 – an adapted version; biological adaptation.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1881 – adaptation of the eye.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act or process of [[adapt|alt=adapting]], or the state of being adapted.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something changed to suit a new use, such as a film or play made from a book.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(biology)'' An inherited change that makes an organism better suited to survive in its [[environment]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(physiology)'' The adjustment of a sense organ, such as the eye, to a stimulus.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[adaptational]]

+ * [[adaptationally]]

+ * [[adaptationist]]

+ * [[counteradaptation]]

+ * [[exaptation]]

+ * [[misadaptation]]

+ * [[nonadaptation]]

+ * [[preadaptation]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[adapt]]

+ * [[adapter]]

+ * [[adaption]]

+ * [[apt]]

+ * [[aptitude]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}