: the foundation of a subsequent development
especially : primordium

Word History

Etymology

German, literally, act of laying on

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anlage was in 1874

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anlage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anlage. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

: the foundation of a subsequent development
especially : primordium
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