abiogenesis
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-uhs jen-uh-rey-shuhn] /spɒnˈteɪ ni əs ˌdʒɛn əˈreɪ ʃən/ . the now discredited theory that living organisms can arise spontaneously from inanimate matter.
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Origin of abiogenesis
1Other words from abiogenesis
- a·bi·o·ge·net·ic [ey-bahy-oh-juh-net-ik, ab-ee-oh-], /ˌeɪ baɪ oʊ dʒəˈnɛt ɪk, ˌæb i oʊ-/, 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-], /ˌeɪ baɪˈɒdʒ ə nɪst, ˌæb i-/, noun
Words Nearby abiogenesis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use abiogenesis in a sentence
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.
Evolution in Art | Alfred C. HaddonThis belief led to the theory of abiogenesis so-called—a term signifying the production of life without life to begin with.
Notable Events of the Nineteenth Century | Various
British Dictionary definitions for abiogenesis
/ (ˌeɪbaɪəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs) /
Also called: autogenesis the hypothetical process by which living organisms first arose on earth from nonliving matter
another name for spontaneous generation Compare biogenesis
Origin of abiogenesis
1Derived forms of abiogenesis
- abiogenetic, adjective
- abiogenist (ˌeɪbaɪˈɒdʒɪnɪst), noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for abiogenesis
[ ā′bī-ō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs ]
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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