adaptive

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Italic *aptos Latin aptus Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin apiō Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Italic *-tos Latin -tus ▲ Latin -ō Latin -tō Latin aptō Latin adaptōder. Middle English *adapten English adapt Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Old French -ifbor. Middle English -yf English -ive English adaptive From adapt + -ive.

1. Of, pertaining to, characterized by or showing adaptation; making or made fit or suitable.

   “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it issued a final rule allowing what’s called “adaptive driving beam headlights” on new vehicles. It will go into effect when published in the Federal Register in the next few days.”

   “The real affinities of all organic beings, in contradistinction to their adaptive resemblances, are due to inheritance or community of descent.”

2. Capable of being adapted or of adapting; susceptible of or undergoing accordant change.
3. Of a trait: that helps an organism to function well in its environment.
4. Of a trait: that helps a person to function well in society.