ontogeny

[ on-toj-uh-nee ]

noun

, Biology.

1. the development or developmental history of an individual organism.

ontogeny

/ ˌɒntəˈdʒɛnɪsɪs; ˌɒntəˈdʒɛnɪk; ˌɒntədʒɪˈnɛtɪk; ɒnˈtɒdʒənɪ /

noun

1. the entire sequence of events involved in the development of an individual organism Compare phylogeny

ontogeny

/ ŏn-tŏj′ə-nē /

1. The origin and development of an individual organism from embryo to adult.

Derived Forms

• ˌontoˈgenically, adverb
• ontogenic, adjective

Other Words From

• on·to·ge·net·ic [on-t, uh, -j, uh, -, net, -ik], onto·ge·neti·cal onto·genic adjective
• onto·ge·neti·cal·ly onto·geni·cal·ly adverb
• on·toge·nist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ontogeny¹

First recorded in 1870–75; onto- + -geny

Example Sentences

It is expressed by the formula of Herbert Spencer, "Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny."

From Project Gutenberg

It relies on the facts of paleontology, and fills up the gaps in this by comparative anatomy and ontogeny.

From Project Gutenberg

Ontogeny teaches unmistakably that its elementary organs, the epidermic cells, develop entirely from the ectoderm.

From Project Gutenberg

The three most valuable sources of evidence in phylogeny are paleontology, comparative anatomy, and ontogeny.

From Project Gutenberg

As we have seen, ontogeny is not completed at hatching or birth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advancement
• evolution
• expansion
• improvement
• increase
• progress