abiogenesis

[ ey-bahy-oh-jen-uh-sis, ab-ee-oh- ]

noun

, Biology.

1. the theory that the earliest life forms on earth developed from nonliving matter. Compare biogenesis.
2. 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

1. Also calledautogenesis the hypothetical process by which living organisms first arose on earth from nonliving matter
2. another name for spontaneous generation Compare biogenesis

abiogenesis

/ ā′bī-ō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs /

1. See spontaneous generation

Derived Forms

• ˌabiogeˈnetic, adjective
• abiogenist, noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of abiogenesis¹

a- ⁶ + biogenesis; coined by T. H. Huxley in 1870

Word History and Origins

Origin of abiogenesis¹

C19: New Latin, from a- ¹+ bio- + genesis

Example Sentences

Abiogenesis, ab-i-o-jen′es-is, n. the origination of living by not-living matter, spontaneous generation.

From Project Gutenberg

I entirely agree with his assertion that “to reject abiogenesis is to admit a miracle.”

From Project Gutenberg

The belief in abiogenesis or spontaneous generation, as now taking place, has completely disappeared from biological teaching.

From Project Gutenberg

This belief led to the theory of abiogenesis so-called—a term signifying the production of life without life to begin with.

From Project Gutenberg