| 释义 |
adaptive, a.|əˈdæptɪv|
[irreg. f. adapt v. + -ive, as if on ppl. stem; cf. adopt-ive; see -ive.]
Characterized by, or given to adaptation. adaptive radiation: H. F. Osborn's term for the evolutionary process which produces divergent forms in different environments (see quots. and cf. specialization b).
1824Coleridge Aids to Refl. (1848) 193 This higher species of adaptive power we call Instinct. 1854Woodward Mollusca 56 Modifications relating only to peculiar habits are called adaptive. 1866Argyll Reign of Law iv. (ed. 4) 185 Adaptive colouring as a means of concealment is never applied to any animal whose habits do not expose it to special danger. 1875Emerson Lett. & Soc. Aims iv. 114 Ah! what a plastic he is! so shifty, so adaptive! 1902H. F. Osborn in Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. XVI. 92 They represent an adaptive radiation for different local habitat, different modes of feeding, fighting, locomotion, etc. 1902― in Amer. Naturalist May 353 One of the essential features of divergent evolution..has been termed by the writer ‘adaptive radiation’. This term seems to express most clearly the idea of differentiation of habit in several directions from a primitive type. 1927Haldane & Huxley Animal Biol. xi. 240 This adaptation to different modes of life, while..we call it specialization when we are thinking only of one species of animal, is called adaptive radiation when we are thinking of the group as a whole.
Add:2. Special collocations: adaptive control, a form of control in which the control parameters are automatically adjusted as conditions change so as to optimize performance.
1958IRE Trans. Automatic Control Dec. 102 (title) A survey of *adaptive control systems. Ibid. 108/1 In answers to these questions may lie the fundamental principles of adaptive control. 1968Brit. Med. Bull. XXIV. 251/1 A self-optimizing (also called ‘adaptive control’) system is one that operates by continuously maximizing an overall performance index by adjusting the characteristics of the system. 1984J. F. Lamb et al. Essent. Physiol. (ed. 2) i. 13 Adaptive control systems are those which change to meet changing needs.
adaptive optics, a system for the automatic adjustment of reflecting surfaces in some astronomical telescopes so as to compensate for varying distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence.
1976Jrnl. Optical Soc. Amer. LXVI. 193/1 A considerable degree of interest has developed in the area of *adaptive optics to be used for correction of wave-front distortion induced by atmospheric turbulence. 1987New Scientist 17 Dec. 16/3 A new system called ‘adaptive optics’ will take care of atmospheric effects. It has to adjust the shape of the mirror 20 to 100 times per second.
▸ spec. Designed to offer a disabled person a greater level of independence; (of a sport) adapted to allow disabled people to participate, esp. by using special equipment.
1959Denton (Maryland) Jrnl. 18 Sept. 3/2 On the non-medical or supplementary side are..[the] adaptive-equipment engineer, prosthetist and other personnel as may be required for evaluation and care of the patient. 1985Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 5 Mar. v. 1/3 There are plenty of adaptive sports, but this [sc. skiing] may be the only one where disabled people can keep up with the able-bodied. 1991Palaestra (Nexis) Summer 30 Adaptive rowing, for people who spend their waking hours in wheelchairs or on crutches, provides a respite. 2002India Today Internat. (U.K. Special ed.) 23 Sept. 41/4 Project Solace..has come out with a line of ‘adaptive assistive apparel’ for..the physically challenged. |