allometry

[ uh-lom-i-tree ]

noun

, Biology.

1. growth of a part of an organism in relation to the growth of the whole organism or some part of it.
2. the measurement or study of this growth.

allometry

/ ˌæləˈmɛtrɪk; əˈlɒmɪtrɪ /

noun

1. the study of the growth of part of an organism in relation to the growth of the entire organism
2. a change in proportion of any of the parts of an organism that occurs during growth

Derived Forms

• allometric, adjective

Other Words From

• al·lo·met·ric [al-, uh, -, me, -trik], al·loi·o·met·ric [uh, -loi-, uh, -, me, -trik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of allometry¹

First recorded in 1935–40; allo- + -metry

Example Sentences

Applying allometry to the study of whales is the key to understanding not just what it takes to be a giant, but also the limits of living things on Earth.

From New York Times

If an animal's limb or organ grows out of proportion with the rest of its body, scientists call that allometry.

From Washington Post

If an animal’s limb or organ grows out of proportion with the rest of its body, scientists call that allometry.

From Seattle Times

What the researchers were looking at was a trend called allometry, or the relationship between the size of an organism and the parts that make it up.

From Scientific American

The cranial crest of Pteranodon exhibits allometry well in excess of what is predicted for thermoregulation or most other 'functional' requirements.

From Scientific American