abiogenesis

abiogenesis

(ā′bī-ō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs)

n.

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

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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

[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