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parthenogenesis

[ par-thuh-noh-jen-uh-sis ]
/ ˌpær θə noʊˈdʒɛn ə sɪs /

noun Biology.

development of an egg without fertilization.

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Origin of parthenogenesis

First recorded in 1840–50; partheno- + genesis

OTHER WORDS FROM parthenogenesis

par·the·no·ge·net·ic [pahr-thuh-noh-juh-net-ik], /ˌpɑr θə noʊ dʒəˈnɛt ɪk/, adjectivepar·the·no·ge·net·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby parthenogenesis

parterre, part exchange, Parthenia, partheno-, parthenocarpy, parthenogenesis, parthenogenone, Parthenon, Parthenopaeus, Parthenope, Parthenos
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for parthenogenesis

British Dictionary definitions for parthenogenesis

parthenogenesis
/ (ˌpɑːθɪnəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs) /

noun

a type of reproduction, occurring in some insects and flowers, in which the unfertilized ovum develops directly into a new individual
human conception without fertilization by a male; virgin birth

Derived forms of parthenogenesis

parthenogenetic (ˌpɑːθɪˌnəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk), adjectiveparthenogenetically, adverb

Word Origin for parthenogenesis

C19: from Greek parthenos virgin + genesis birth
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

Medical definitions for parthenogenesis

parthenogenesis
[ pär′thə-nō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs ]

n.

A form of reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual, occurring commonly among insects and certain other arthropods.

Other words from parthenogenesis

par′the•no•ge•net′ic (-jə-nĕt′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for parthenogenesis

parthenogenesis
[ pär′thə-nō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs ]

Reproduction in which an egg develops into a new individual without being fertilized. Aphids and certain other insects can reproduce by parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis does not necessarily produce clones of the parent. Among hymenopterans such as honeybees and ants, the haploid males develop from unfertilized eggs laid by the queen, who is diploid. Parthenogenesis is a form of apomixis.

Other words from parthenogenesis

parthenogenetic adjective (pär′thə-nō-jə-nĕt′ĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.