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biogenic

[bahy-oh-jen-ik]
adjective
  1. resulting from the activity of living organisms, as fermentation.
  2. necessary for the life process, as food and water.
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Origin of biogenic

First recorded in 1875–80; bio- + -genic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for biogenic

biogenic

adjective
  1. produced or originating from a living organism
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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

Word Origin and History for biogenic

adj.

1904, with reference to Haeckel's recapitulation theory; 1913 as "produced by living organisms," from bio- + genic "produced by" (see genus).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper