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abiogenesis
[ ey-bahy-oh-jen-uh-sis, ab-ee-oh- ]
noun
- the theory that the earliest life forms on earth developed from nonliving matter. Compare biogenesis.
- Also called spon·ta·ne·ous gen·er·a·tion [spon-, tey, -nee-, uh, s jen-, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n]. the now discredited theory that living organisms can arise spontaneously from inanimate matter.
abiogenesis
/ ˌeɪbaɪəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs; ˌeɪbaɪˈɒdʒɪnɪst /
noun
- Also calledautogenesis the hypothetical process by which living organisms first arose on earth from nonliving matter
- another name for spontaneous generation Compare biogenesis
abiogenesis
/ ā′bī-ō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs /
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Derived Forms
- abiogenist, noun
- ˌabiogeˈnetic, adjective
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Other Words From
- a·bi·o·ge·net·ic [ey-bahy-oh-j, uh, -, net, -ik, ab-ee-oh-], a·bi·o·ge·net·i·cal adjective
- a·bi·o·ge·net·i·cal·ly adverb
- a·bi·og·e·nist [ey-bahy-, oj, -, uh, -nist, ab-ee-], noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of abiogenesis1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of abiogenesis1
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Example Sentences
Abiogenesis, ab-i-o-jen′es-is, n. the origination of living by not-living matter, spontaneous generation.
I entirely agree with his assertion that “to reject abiogenesis is to admit a miracle.”
The belief in abiogenesis or spontaneous generation, as now taking place, has completely disappeared from biological teaching.
This belief led to the theory of abiogenesis so-called—a term signifying the production of life without life to begin with.
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