heterosis

[ het-uh-roh-sis ]
/ ˌhɛt əˈroʊ sɪs /

noun Genetics.

the increase in growth, size, fecundity, function, yield, or other characters in hybrids over those of the parents.
Also called hybrid vigor.

Origin of heterosis

First recorded in 1910–15, heterosis is from the Late Greek word hetérōsis an alteration. See hetero-, -sis

Words nearby heterosis

heteroscedastic, heterosex, heterosexism, heterosexual, heterosexuality, heterosis, heterosocial, heterosporous, heterospory, heterostracan, heterostyled

British Dictionary definitions for heterosis

heterosis
/ (ˌhɛtəˈrəʊsɪs) /

noun

biology another name for hybrid vigour

Word Origin for heterosis

C19: from Late Greek: alteration, from Greek heteroioun to alter, from heteros other, different