noun · countable / uncountable

exaptation

exaptation · exaptations

The use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which…The use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which it initially evolved.

UK/ˌɛk.səpˈteɪ.ʃən/US/ˌɛk.sæpˈteɪ.ʃən/

Meaning

2 senses

(countable, uncountable)The use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which it initially evolved.
Birds initially developed wings and feathers as a means of heat regulation. The use of wings for flight is an example of exaptation.
(broadly, countable, uncountable)The promotion of meaningless or redundant material so that it does new grammatical (morphosyntactic or phonological) or semantic work.