autogeny
/ɔ:'tɔgʤini/
Definition
- Noun:
- A hypothetical organic phenomenon by which living organisms are created from nonliving matter: The concept that life can arise spontaneously from inanimate substances, an idea largely discredited by modern biology.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The ancient theory of autogeny proposed that maggots could generate from rotting meat.
- Modern science has replaced the idea of autogeny with the principle of biogenesis.
Advanced Usage
- In historical/scientific discourse: Used to describe pre-modern biological theories.
- Discussions of autogeny are crucial for understanding the history of biological thought.
Variants and Related Words
- Autogenesis (n): A synonym for autogeny, meaning spontaneous generation.
- Autogenetic (adj): Pertaining to autogeny.
- The autogenetic theory was debated for centuries.
Synonyms
- Spontaneous generation: The more common term for the same concept.
- Abiogenesis: In modern contexts, sometimes refers to the original emergence of life from non-life, distinct from the historical theory of spontaneous generation.
Notes on Meaning
- This term is primarily used in historical, philosophical, or scientific contexts discussing obsolete theories. It is not used to describe any known natural process in contemporary science. The related term abiogenesis is used in modern scientific discourse for the study of the origin of life from non-living matter, but it is a distinct concept from the disproven theory of autogeny.
Noun
-
a hypothetical organic phenomenon by which living organisms are created from nonliving matter
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