amphimixis

American  

[am-fuh-mik-sis] / ˌæm fəˈmɪk sɪs /

noun

plural

amphimixes

1. Biology. the merging of the nuclei of the sperm and egg cells; sexual reproduction.

2. Psychoanalysis. the combining of anal and genital eroticism in the development of sexuality.

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amphimixis British  

/ ˌæmfɪˈmɪksɪs /

noun

1. true sexual reproduction by the fusion of gametes from two organisms Compare apomixis

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Other Word Forms

• amphimictic adjective
• amphimictically adverb

Etymology

Origin of amphimixis

1890–95; amphi- + Greek míxis a mingling, equivalent to mig- (stem of mígnynai to mix) + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

Regression.—An important result of quantitative work brings into prominence the steady tendency to maintain the type which appears to be one of the most important results of amphimixis.

From Project Gutenberg

Mature ova or spermatozoa will not normally divide if left to themselves, but that is because they are specialised to secure amphimixis, not because their powers are in any way declining or impoverished.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the harmony of counterparts and constitutes the best basis of psychic amphimixis.

From Project Gutenberg

He attributed variation partly to the union of gametes containing various determinants, which he termed amphimixis: this, however, would introduce nothing new.

From Project Gutenberg