metagenesis

noun

meta·gen·e·sis ˌme-tə-ˈje-nə-səs

: alternation of generations in animals

especially : regular alternation of a sexual and an asexual generation

metagenetic

ˌme-tə-jə-ˈne-tik

adjective

Word History

Etymology

meta- + genesis, probably after metamorphosis

Note: The term was apparently introduced by the English biologist Richard Owen (1804-92) in On Parthenogenesis, or the Successive Production of Procreating Individuals from a Single Ovum (London, 1849), p. 22

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of metagenesis was in 1849

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Metagenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metagenesis. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

metagenesis

noun

meta·gen·e·sis -ˈjen-ə-səs

plural metageneses -ˌsēz

: alternation of generations

especially : regular alternation of a sexual and an asexual generation

metagenetic

-jə-ˈnet-ik

adjective

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

victuals

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

metagenesis

noun

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near metagenesis

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition