abiogenesis

(ā′bī′ō jenə sis, ab′ē ō-)

noun

spontaneous generation

Origin: ModL < Gr abios, lifeless (< a-, not + bios, life: see bio-) + -genesis

Related Forms:

See abiogenesis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
The supposed development of living organisms from nonliving matter. Also called autogenesis, spontaneous generation.

Related Forms:

  • aˌbi·o·ge·netˈic (-jə-nĕtˈĭk), aˌbi·o·ge·netˈi·cal adjective
  • aˌbi·o·ge·netˈi·cal·ly adverb
  • aˌbi·ogˈe·nist (-ŏjˈə-nĭst) noun

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