parthenogenesis

Noun
Synonyms: parthenogenyvirgin birth

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. human conception without fertilization by a manSynonyms: parthenogenyvirgin birth
  2. process in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual; common among insects and some other arthropodsSynonyms: parthenogeny
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

parthenogenesis \par`the*no*gen"e*sis\ (p[aum]r`th[-e]*n[-o]*j[e^]n"[-e]*s[i^]s), n. [Gr. parqe`nos a virgin + E. genesis.]

1.(Biol.) The production of new individuals from virgin females by means of ova which have the power of developing without the intervention of the male element; the production, without fertilization, of cells capable of germination. It is one of the phenomena of alternate generation. Cf. Heterogamy, and Metagenesis. [1913 Webster]

2.(Bot.) The production of seed without fertilization, believed to occur through the nonsexual formation of an embryo extraneous to the embryonic vesicle. [1913 Webster]

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