Abiogenesis


the now discredited theory that living organisms can arise spontaneously from inanimate matter; spontaneous generation.
the theory that the earliest life forms on earth developed from nonliving matter.
Compare .
Historical Examples

This belief led to the theory of abiogenesis so-called—a term signifying the production of life without life to begin with.
Notable Events of the Nineteenth Century Various

abiogenesis, ab-i-o-jen′es-is, n. the origination of living by not-living matter, spontaneous generation.
Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) Various

The belief in abiogenesis or spontaneous generation, as now taking place, has completely disappeared from biological teaching.
Evolution in Art Alfred C. Haddon

noun
Also called autogenesis. the hypothetical process by which living organisms first arose on earth from nonliving matter
another name for spontaneous generation Compare biogenesis
abiogenesis
(ā’bī-ō-jěn’ĭ-sĭs)
See spontaneous generation.

Read Also:

  • Abiogenic

    not resulting from the activity of living organisms.

  • Abiological

    not occurring or produced naturally; synthetic.

  • Abioses

    the absence or lack of life; a nonviable state. noun absence of life abiosis a·bi·o·sis (ā’bī-ō’sĭs) n. Absence of life. See abiotrophy. a’bi·ot’ic (-ŏt’ĭk) adj.

  • Abiosis

    the absence or lack of life; a nonviable state. noun absence of life abiosis a·bi·o·sis (ā’bī-ō’sĭs) n. Absence of life. See abiotrophy. a’bi·ot’ic (-ŏt’ĭk) adj. abiotic (ā’bī-ŏt’ĭk) Not associated with or derived from living organisms. Abiotic factors in an environment include such items as sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation. Compare biotic. abiosis noun (ā’bī-ō’sĭs)

  • Abiotic

    of or characterized by the absence of life or living organisms. adj. “without life,” 1870, from a- (3) + biotic. abiotic (ā’bī-ŏt’ĭk) Not associated with or derived from living organisms. Abiotic factors in an environment include such items as sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation. Compare biotic. abiosis noun (ā’bī-ō’sĭs)


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