tachymetabolism

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tachymetabolism Metabolism that is sustained at a relatively high rate. Characteristic of `warm-blooded' animals (see endotherm), it generates the heat required to maintain the body temperature of such animals at a constant high level. A tachymetabolic animal typically has a metabolic rate at least five times that of an ectothermic (`cold-blooded') animal of equivalent size. Compare bradymetabolism.