anlage

American  

[ahn-lah-guh] / ˈɑn lɑ gə /

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

anlagen, plural anlages plural

1. Embryology. an embryonic area capable of forming a structure: the primordium, germ, or bud.

2. Psychology. an inherited predisposition to certain traits or to a particular character development.

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anlage British  

/ ˈænˌlɑːɡə /

noun

1. another word for primordium

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• anlagen
  plural
• anlages
  plural

Etymology

Origin of anlage

1890–95; < German Anlage foundation, basis, as noun derivative of anlegen to lay on or out, apply, equivalent to an- on + legen to lay ¹

Explanation

Use the biological term anlage when you talk about the very earliest, most basic form of a plant or animal organ. An anlage is also known in science as a primordium. In either case, the word refers to an early developmental stage of an organ or tissue — an anlage is basically the potential for further growth and development, like an embryo that's brand new. You're most likely to encounter the word anlage in a biology textbook or article. It's a German word, meaning "foundation or basis," from the German verb anlagen, "to establish."