exaptation

 
Pronunciation: /ˌɛksapˈteɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun] Biology
  • the process by which features acquire functions for which they were not originally adapted or selected.
  • [count noun] a character or feature which evolved by the process of exaptation.

Origin:

1980s: from ex-1 + aptation as in adaptation