preadaptation
noun
pre·ad·ap·ta·tion ˌprē-ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən 
: a character or the condition of possessing a character that takes on a function when none previously existed or that differs from its original function : exaptation
This principle of evolution is sometimes called preadaptation. There's no foresight involved, though—simply the lucky coincidence that a feature that evolved to do one thing may turn out later to do another thing even better.
Carl Zimmer
Carl ZimmerNote: While the newer term exaptation has been widely adopted, preadaptation continues to be acceptable in current usage with both terms showing comparable frequency of usage.
preadapted
ˌprē-ə-ˈdap-təd
adjective One hypothesis is that hot-blooded dinosaurs were clothed with feathers for insulation and were therefore preadapted for flight. Alan Feduccia
Alan Feduccia preadaptive
ˌprē-ə-ˈdap-tiv
adjective preadaptive structures
Word History
First Known Use
1958, in the meaning defined above
- in its own right
- in its own time
- in its totality
- in its/their entirety
- in its/their totality
- in itself
- in jeopardy
- in jest
- in jig time
- in jure cessio
- in justification of
- in keeping with
- in large measure
- in large part
- in leaf
- in league
- in less than no time
- in lieu
- in lieu of
- in light of
- in limbo
- in limine
- in line for
- in line with
- in litigation