catagenesis

[ kat-uh-jen-uh-sis ]

noun

, Biology.

1. the retrogressive evolution of a species. Compare anagenesis ( def 1 ).

Other Words From

• cat·a·ge·net·ic [kat-, uh, -j, uh, -, net, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of catagenesis¹

First recorded in 1880–85; cata- + genesis