anlage

(änlä′gə)

noun pl. anlagen or anlages

  1. the basis of a later development; foundation
  2. primordium

Origin: Ger, foundation < anlegen, lay out

See anlage in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also An·la·ge

noun pl. an·la·ges also An·la·ges or an·la·gen also An·la·gen (-gən)
  1. Biology The initial clustering of embryonic cells from which a part or an organ develops; primordium.
  2. A genetic predisposition to a given trait or personality characteristic.
  3. A fundamental principle; the foundation for a future development.

Origin:

Origin: German, fundamental principle

Origin: , from Middle High German anlāge, request

Origin: : ane-, on (from Old High German ana-; see an- in Indo-European roots)

Origin: + lāge, act of laying (from Old High German lāga; see legh- in Indo-European roots)

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