counterselection

noun

coun·​ter·​selection

"+

: selection opposed in its effects to natural selection: such as

a

: preservation of less well-adapted individuals : dysgenic selection

b

: selection in plant or animal breeding against a quality undesirable from the point of view of the breeder though likely to be retained in a state of nature

counterselection against low milk production in cattle

Word History

Etymology

counter- + selection

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