preformation
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.pre·for·ma·tion
noun \ˌprē-fȯr-ˈmā-shən\Definition of PREFORMATION
1
: previous formation
2
: the now discredited theory that every germ cell contains the organism of its kind fully formed and that development involves merely an increase in size — compare epigenesis 1, homunculus 2
— pre·for·ma·tion·ist \-sh(ə-)nist\ noun or adjective
First Known Use of PREFORMATION
1732
pre·for·ma·tion
noun \ˌprē-fȯr-ˈmā-shən\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of PREFORMATION
: a now discredited theory in biology that every germ cell contains the organism of its kind fully formed and complete in all its parts and that development involves merely an increase in size from microscopic proportions to those of the adult—compare epigenesis
—pre·for·ma·tion·ist \-shə-nəst\ (audio pronunciation) noun or adjective
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