Main Entry: abio·gen·e·sis

Pronunciation: \ˌā-ˌbī-ō-ˈjen-ə-səs\

Function: noun

: the supposed spontaneous origination of living organisms directly from lifeless matter—called also spontaneous generation; compare biogenesis

—abi·og·e·nist \ˌā-(ˌ)bī-ˈäj-ə-nəst\ or abio·gen·e·sist \-ˌbī-ō-ˈjen-ə-səst\ noun