deimatic

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek δειματόω (deimatóō).

Adjective

deimatic (comparative more deimatic, superlative most deimatic)

1. (zoology) Designed to startle or frighten a potential predator.

   Synonym: dymantic

   • 1988, John L. Cloudsley-Thompson, Evolution and Adaptation of Terrestrial Arthropods, page 122:

     These deimatic eye spots do not have the same function as those that deflect predatory attack. They give to their owner the appearance of a considerable increase in size.

   • 2016, Peter Godfrey-Smith, Other Minds, William Collins, published 2018, page 125:

     Intermediate between the clear cases of camouflage and signaling are deimatic displays.

Anagrams

• mediatic