virgin birth

American  

noun

1. Theology. the doctrine or dogma that, by the miraculous agency of God, the birth of Christ did not impair or prejudice the virginity of Mary.

2. Zoology. parthenogenesis; parturition by a female who has not copulated.

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Virgin Birth ¹ British  

noun

1. the doctrine that Jesus Christ had no human father but was conceived solely by the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit so that Mary remained miraculously a virgin during and after his birth

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virgin birth ² British  

noun

1. another name for parthenogenesis

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Etymology

Origin of virgin birth

First recorded in 1645–55

Example Sentences

For the first time, scientists have used genetic engineering to trigger ‘virgin birth’ in female animals that normally need a male partner to reproduce.

From Scientific American

Commonly referred to as a "virgin birth," most animals who reproduce this way are small invertebrates, or sometimes, long isolated, such as in a zoo.

From Salon

It's the first time scientists have recorded in an American crocodile successful parthenogenesis, which is asexual reproduction and Greek for "virgin birth."

From Salon

Stories of virgin births, where young are produced without fertilisation, have been told throughout history.

From Scientific American

Scientists discovered a virgin birth in a stillborn crocodile that had only its mother’s genetic material.

From New York Times