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Webster 1913 Edition


Abiogenesis

Abˊi-o-gen′e-sis

,
Noun.
[Gr.
priv. +
βίοσ
life +
γένεσις
, 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
.
I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of
abiogenesis
.
Huxley, 1870.

Definition 2024


Abiogenesis

Abiogenesis

See also: abiogenesis and abiogénesis

German

Noun

Abiogenesis f (genitive Abiogenesis, no plural)

  1. abiogenesis

abiogenesis

abiogenesis

See also: Abiogenesis and abiogénesis

English

Noun

abiogenesis (plural abiogeneses)

  1. (biology) The origination of living organisms from lifeless matter; such genesis as does not involve the action of living parents; spontaneous generation. [Late 19th century.] [1]
    • 1870, Thomas Huxley, Imperial Granum, The Great Medicinal Food:
      I shall call the ... doctrine that living matter may be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of abiogenesis

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References

  1. Lesley Brown (editor), The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition (Oxford University Press, 2003 [1933], ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7), page 4