PREFORMATION
preformation, theory of preformation
(noun) a theory (popular in the 18th century and now discredited) that an individual develops by simple enlargement of a tiny fully formed organism (a homunculus) that exists in the germ cell
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
preformation (countable and uncountable, plural preformations)
Prior formation.
(biology, historical) The theory that organisms are fully developed in the form of an egg or seed, and just increase in size (as opposed to epigenesis).
Source: Wiktionary
Pre`for*ma"tion, n. (Biol.)
Definition: An old theory of the preëxistence of germs. Cf. Emboîtement.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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Word of the Day
3 April 2025
WHOLE
(noun) an assemblage of parts that is regarded as a single entity; “how big is that part compared to the whole?”; “the team is a unit”
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