Definition of: adaptation

(ad′əp·tā′shən) noun
1. The act of adapting or fitting one thing to another; the state of being suited or fitted.
2. The process of adapting or adjusting to new conditions.
3. Anything adapted.
4. Biol. An advantageous conformation of an organism to changes in its environment.
5. Physiol. The change in the response of an organ of sense owing to prolonged or repeated stimulation.
—ad′ap·ta′tion·al adjective
—ad′ap·ta′tion·al·ly adverb