Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- Of a nature to warn or alarm; serving to warn or alarm enemies: noting characteristics of organisms which, when displayed, effect this.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective (Zoöl.) Having or designating conspicuous or warning colors or structures indicative of special means of defense against enemies, as in the skunk.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective zoology That serves as a
warning topredators , as of toxicity, especially falsely.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word aposematic.
Examples
-
You can see that coloration that he displays, like if I turn him around, you see the colors right there which are quintessential markings that basically mean stay away, what we call aposematic coloration.
-
Other than the problem of genocide … spending problem solved! aposematic in VA
-
My reply to him was: no, what scares me is what you just said. aposematic in VA
I think MSNBC is trying to get the President shot at. - Moe_Lane’s blog - RedState 2009
-
We should all feel sorry for them … not. aposematic in VA
I think MSNBC is trying to get the President shot at. - Moe_Lane’s blog - RedState 2009
-
Just lies and then more lies all of the time. aposematic in VA
Glenn Nye (D, VA-02) battles Glenn Nye (D, VA-02) over Cap and Trade! - Moe_Lane’s blog - RedState 2009
-
The radical liberals along with the Progressives, Marxists, Socialists, and Communists among us would have Americans believe Obama and his Administration are just too stupid to have known anything about all of these crazy czar appointments. aposematic in VA
*Another* apology coming, Van Jones? - Moe_Lane’s blog - RedState 2009
-
These beautiful, brightly-colored little animals secrete toxic alkaloids through their skin, their bright aposematic coloration serving to warn predators that they are dangerous and thhus should not.
-
For example, the aposematic species involved in a Mullerian mimetic association all converge on the same coloration, thereby reducing the number of patterns that local predators have to learn.
Mutualism 2008
-
Their aposematic pattern — orange head, white collar, the rest black — mimics the ant genus Leptomyrmex and makes them appear toxic.
Marabunta! 2008
-
Arion subfuscus seems another good species to look at, since they're entirely orange not just one aposematic stripe!
Eat Tandonia AYDIN 2006
qms commented on the word aposematic
Evade an importunate Claus
Who rings for some nebulous cause
With a scowl so emphatic
It's aposematic.
Escape in his stunned silent pause.
December 20, 2016