dedifferentiation

[ dee-dif-uh-ren-shee-ey-shuh n ]
/ diˌdɪf əˌrɛn ʃiˈeɪ ʃən /

noun Biology.

a process by which structures or behaviors that were specialized for a specific function lose their specialization and become simplified or generalized.

Origin of dedifferentiation

First recorded in 1915–20; de- + differentiation

Words nearby dedifferentiation

British Dictionary definitions for de-differentiation

dedifferentiation
/ (diːˌdɪfəˌrɛnʃɪˈeɪʃən) /

noun

the reversion of the cells of differentiated tissue to a less specialized form

Medical definitions for de-differentiation

dedifferentiation
[ dē′dĭf-ə-rĕn′shē-āshən ]

n.

Regression of a specialized cell or tissue to a simpler unspecialized form.

Other words from dedifferentiation

de′dif•fer•enti•ate′ v.