Exaptation

/ˌɛksæpˈteɪʃən/noun

In evolutionary biology, a trait that evolved for one purpose but was later co-opted to serve a different function.

(biology) A feature shaped by natural selection for one use that comes to serve a different purpose over evolutionary time.

Urdu

حیاتیاتی ارتقا میں ایک ایسی خصوصیت جو کسی اور مقصد کے لیے وجود میں آئی ہو مگر بعد میں کسی دوسرے کام کے لیے استعمال ہونے لگے۔

Hindi

जैविक विकास में एक ऐसा गुण जो किसी और उद्देश्य के लिए विकसित हुआ हो लेकिन बाद में किसी अन्य कार्य के लिए उपयोग होने लगे।

Feathers are often cited as an exaptation, originally evolving for insulation before being used for flight.

Related words

Practice

Biologists describe bird feathers as an — they likely evolved for warmth long before they were used for flight.