PARTHENOGENESIS

parthenogenesis, parthenogeny

(noun) process in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual; common among insects and some other arthropods

parthenogenesis, parthenogeny, virgin birth

(noun) human conception without fertilization by a man

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

parthenogenesis (usually uncountable, plural parthenogeneses)

(biology) Referring to various aspects of asexual reproduction

(biology, countable, uncountable) (An instance of) reproduction by the development of a single gamete (an ovum or ovule) without fertilisation by a gamete of the opposite sex; compare metagenesis, heterogamy.

(biology, uncountable, formerly) Asexual reproduction in toto; agamogenesis.

(countable and uncountable) figurative uses of the biological senses

(theology) Virgin birth, in reference to the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.

Source: Wiktionary


Par`the*no*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Gr. parqe`nos a virgin + E. genesis.]

1. (Biol.)

Definition: The production of new individuals from virgin females by means of ova which have the power of developing without the intervention of the male element; the production, without fertilization, of cells capable of germination. It is one of the phenomena of alternate generation. Cf. Heterogamy, and Metagenesis.

2. (Bot.)

Definition: The production of seed without fertilization, believed to occur through the nonsexual formation of an embryo extraneous to the embrionic vesicle.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

15 March 2025

TRUNCATION

(noun) the replacement of an edge or solid angle (as in cutting a gemstone) by a plane (especially by a plane that is equally inclined to the adjacent faces)


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