exapted


ex·ap·ta·tion

E0260450 (ĕg′zăp-tā′shən)n. Biology The utilization of a structure or feature for a function other than that for which it was developed through natural selection.
[ex- + (ad)aptation.]
ex·ap′ted adj.ex·ap′tive adj.

exapted

(ɛkˈsæptɪd; ɪɡˈzæptɪd) or

exaptive

adj(of a particular feature) having a function that was not brought about by natural selection(of a particular feature) having a function different to that for which it evolved