neotenizev.
/nɪˈɒtᵻnʌɪz/, /nɪˈɒtn̩ʌɪz/, U.S. /niˈɑtnˌaɪz/ transitive. To cause to become neotenic; to breed (a domestic animal) to retain juvenile characteristics in adulthood. Also: to endow (a person or animal) with immature features or attributes; to make juvenile in appearance or behaviour.
ΚΠ
1977 D. Morris Manwatching 263 It [sc. the dog] has been neotenized..so that it remains more puppy-like and playful.
1986 Jrnl. Psychoanalytic Anthropol. 9 41 Behavioral dependency and submissiveness signify human control over both symbolic and actual animals... The more animals are neotenized, the more enchanting and endearing they become.
1993 Orlando Sentinel Tribune (Nexis) 14 Feb. g1 Through Disney's magic, Mickey (Mouse) seems to have the power to continue to neotenize us, even as we neotenize him.
1999 Polit. Psychol. 20 593 Neotenizing the familiar face of Clinton increased ratings of his honesty and attractiveness without diminishing perceptions of his power.
Derivatives
neˈotenized adj.
ΚΠ
1979 Science 22 June 1341 Differential cessation of growth could still lead a neotenized individual at a larger size.
1997 Rocky Mountain News (Denver) (Nexis) 14 June d2 Because companion animals are neotenized versions of their wild ancestors, they look and act more like juvenile than adult wild animals.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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v.1977