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orthogenetic

American

[awr-thoh-juh-net-ik] / ˌɔr θoʊ dʒəˈnɛt ɪk /

adjective

Biology.

pertaining to or supporting the theory that evolution follows a predetermined course rather than branching off in different directions as a result of natural selection.

Etymology

Origin of orthogenetic

First recorded in 1895–1900; from New Latin orthogenet- (stem of orthogenesis orthogenesis ) + -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That evolution has been orthogenetic in the case of certain groups, seems to be well established, but many difficulties stand in the way of its acceptance as a general principle of explanation.

From Biology A lecture delivered at Columbia University in the series on Science, Philosophy and Art November 20, 1907 by Wilson, Edmund Beecher

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023