abiogenesis
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abiogenesis
(ā′bī-ō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs)n.
The supposed development of living organisms from nonliving matter. Also called autogenesis, spontaneous generation.
a′bi·o·ge·net′ic (-jə-nĕt′ĭk), a′bi·o·ge·net′i·cal adj.
a′bi·o·ge·net′i·cal·ly adv.
a′bi·og′e·nist (-ŏj′ə-nĭst) n.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
abiogenesis
(1) Spontaneous generation.(2) The theory of spontaneous generation.
Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
a·bi·o·gen·e·sis
(ā'bī-ō-jen'ĕ-sis)Spontaneous origination of a living organisms directly from lifeless matter.
See also: spontaneous generation
See also: spontaneous generation
[G. a-, without, + bios, life, + genesis, formation]
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
abiogenesis
The theory of ‘spontaneous generation’-the long-discarded notion that living organisms can be formed from non-living matter. Louis Pasteur's work (see PASTEURIZATION) did much to overthrow this idea which was based largely on the observation that maggots often appeared on rotting meat.Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
abiogenesis
see SPONTANEOUS GENERATION.Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005