genesis

The combining form –genesis is used like a suffix meaning “genesis.” Genesis means “an origin, creation, or beginning.” The form –genesis is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology. In particular, it describes the process of creation.

The form –genesis comes from Greek génesis, meaning “origin” or “source,” source of the English word genesis. The Latin translation of –génesis is orīgō, which is the source of words such as aboriginal and origin. To learn more, check out our entries for both aboriginal and origin.

What are variants of –genesis?

While the form –genesis doesn’t have any variants, it is related to the combining form –genetic, as in phylogenetic. The form –genesis is also closely related to the combining forms –gen, –geny, –genic, and –genous, as in pathogen, heterogeny, hallucinogenic, and heterogenous. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for –genetic, –genic, –geny, –genic, and –genous.

One example of a scientific term that uses –genesis is biogenesis, “the production of living organisms from other living organisms.”

The form bio– means “life,” from Greek bíos, and as we know, –genesis means “origin” or “source.” Biogenesis literally translates to “life source.”

What are some words that use the combining form –genesis?

• adermogenesis
• androgenesis
• cytogenesis
• heterogenesis
• petrogenesis
• thermogenesis
• zygogenesis

What are some other forms that –genesis may be commonly confused with?

• -gamous
• -gony
• -gynous

The combining form cyto– means “cell.” With this in mind, what does cytogenesis mean?