epigenesis

(ep′i jenə sis)

noun

  1. Biol. the theory that the embryo, influenced by its internal and external environment, develops progressively by stages, forming structures that were not originally present in the egg
  2. Geol. a type of metamorphism in which the mineral content of a rock changes as a result of external influences
  3. Med.
    1. the appearing of secondary symptoms
    2. a secondary symptom

Origin: ModL: see epi- & -genesis

See epigenesis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Biology The theory that an individual is developed by successive differentiation of an unstructured egg rather than by a simple enlarging of a preformed entity.
  2. Geology Change in the mineral content of a rock because of outside influences.

Related Forms:

  • epˌi·ge·netˈic (-jə-nĕtˈĭk) adjective

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