homunculus
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ho·mun·cu·lus

noun \hō-ˈməŋ-kyə-ləs\
plural ho·mun·cu·li\-ˌlī, -ˌlē\

Definition of HOMUNCULUS

1
: a little man : manikin
2
: a miniature adult that in the theory of preformation is held to inhabit the germ cell and to produce a mature individual merely by an increase in size

Origin of HOMUNCULUS

Latin, diminutive of homin-, homo human being — more at homage
First Known Use: 1656

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with HOMUNCULUS

ho·mun·cu·lus

noun \hō-ˈməŋ-kyə-ləs\   (Medical Dictionary)
plural ; ho·mun·cu·li \-ˌlī, -ˌlē\ (audio pronunciation) (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of HOMUNCULUS

: a miniature adult that in the theory of preformation was held to inhabit the germ cell and to produce a mature individual merely by an increase in size

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