totipotent

adjective

to·​ti·​po·​tent tō-ˈti-pə-tənt 

ˌtō-tə-ˈpō-tᵊnt

: capable of developing into a complete organism or differentiating into any of its cells or tissues

totipotent stem cells

totipotency

tō-ˈti-pə-tən(t)-sē 

ˌtō-tə-ˈpō-tᵊn-

noun

Word History

Etymology

Latin totus whole, entire + English -i- + potent

First Known Use

circa 1899, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

totipotent

adjective

to·​ti·​po·​tent tō-ˈtip-ət-ənt 

: capable of developing into a complete organism or differentiating into any of its cells or tissues

totipotent blastomeres