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)