abiogenesis

Noun
Synonyms: autogenesisautogenyspontaneous generation

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a hypothetical organic phenomenon by which living organisms are created from nonliving matterSynonyms: autogenesisautogenyspontaneous generation
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Abiogenesis \Ab`i*o*gen"e*sis\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + bi`os life + ge`nesis, origin, birth.] (Biol.) The supposed origination of living organisms from lifeless matter; such genesis as does not involve the action of living parents; spontaneous generation; -- called also abiogeny, and opposed to biogenesis. [1913 Webster]

I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of abiogenesis. --Huxley, 1870. [1913 Webster]

Advertisement