| 释义 |
ad·ap·ta·tion
\ˌaˌdapˈtāshən also ˌadəp- or əˌdap-\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: French, from Medieval Latin adaptation-, adaptatio, from Latin adaptatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : the act or process of adapting, fitting, or modifying
< his ingenious adaptation of the electric cautery knife to … surgery — George Blumer >
< adaptation is a basic principle of applied design >
b. : the state or condition of being adapted or adjusted or of adapting or adjusting oneself
< the complete adaptation of the clergyman to his work >
< the characteristic adaptation of the emigrant trail to the terrain — G.R.Stewart >
2. : adjustment to environmental conditions: as
a. : adjustment of a sense organ (as the eye) to the intensity or quality of stimulation (as light) prevailing at the moment effected by changes in sensitivity and occurring as a heightened sensitivity
< dark adaptation of the retina >
or as a physical adjustment to meet changed conditions
< contraction of pupil or pigment migration in light adaptation of the eye >
or as decline or loss of sensitivity to a constant stimulus
b. : modification of an organism or of its parts or organs fitting it more perfectly for existence under the conditions of its environment and resulting from the action of natural selection upon variation — compare natural selection, variation 6
c. : the continuing process through which the organization of groups is modified to meet the requirements of their social and physical environment
3. : something that is adapted:
a. : a modification for a new use : an alteration or change in form or structure
< the polar bear's white fur is an adaptation which enables it to get food — W.J.Jacobson & Cecilia J. Lauby >
b. : a composition rewritten into a new form
< a screen adaptation of a novel >
• ad·ap·ta·tion·al \|aˌdap|tāshənəl, -shnəl also |adəp|t- or əˌdapˈt-\ adjective
• ad·ap·ta·tion·al·ly adverb |