From Latin, violentia carries the broad meaning of behaviors with an origin in vis (force, vigor) and refers to "vehemence; passionate and uncontrolled force".
A common consequence of hybridization is hybrid vigor, or heterosis, which refers to superior performance in biomass, yield, or other agronomic traits in hybrids relative to one or both parents (Birchler et al. 2003).
Plant vigor, I'm learning, depends upon mycorrhizae (a Latin word meaning fungus roots) and refers to the symbiotic associations between fungi that colonize inside and outside of feeder roots.
It's quite a beautiful book —Lanzmann writes with style, vigor, and insight as well as a passionate one, not least in his choice of title, which refers to a fresco, in a museum in Paestum, of a figure with whom he identifies both literally (he is an enthusiastic diver) and metaphorically: I have dived all my life, and not just in the sea.
This phenomenon, referred to hybrid vigor, has been well documented in sunflower species, Dacus tryoni (a tephritid fly), and stickleback fish (Lewontin and Birch 1966; Lucek et al. 2010; Rieseberg et al. 2003, 2007).
"That is one of the stupider things I've ever heard said," Mr. Bloomberg said with vigor at a Crain's New York Business Breakfast Forum, referring to an objection raised by Congressman Anthony D. Weiner that the plan could lead to reduced federal transportation aid.
In biology, a hybrid is defined as the offspring of different species, genera or varieties, resulting in an individual that not only combines the qualities of its parents but may exhibit improved qualities or functions, a phenomenon referred to as 'hybrid vigor'.
Heterosis is often referred to in traits associated with vigor, such as size, yield, and reproductive success (Lippman and Zamir 2007), but the term is also used more broadly to describe any trait for which a hybrid exceeds parental levels (Xiao et al. 1995).
"I love their vigor and their spirit," said Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, referring to the Republicans who have bucked the party leadership lately.
Transplant patients hold dear the newfound vigor that comes with new organs -- so dear that many refer to the date of their operation as their "second birthday".
