From Latin 'aptus' (fitted) — gained new force through Darwin, where 'adaptation' became a foundational concept.
To adjust or modify oneself or something to suit new conditions, purposes, or environments.
From Latin 'adaptāre' (to fit to, to adjust, to accommodate), from 'ad-' (to, toward) + 'aptāre' (to fit, to fasten, to adjust), from 'aptus' (fitted, suitable, proper), the past participle of the lost verb '*apere' (to fasten, to attach, to join). 'Aptus' connects to PIE *h₂ep- (to take, to reach, to join), which produced Latin 'apiscī' (to reach, to attain), 'aptus' (fitted), and 'apis' (bee — the joiner or attacher). English descendants include 'apt
The word 'inept' is the negative form of the same root — from Latin 'ineptus' (not fitting) — making 'inept' literally the opposite of 'apt.' Charles Darwin never actually used the phrase 'survival of the fittest,' but 'adaptation' became the cornerstone concept of his evolutionary theory.
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