authigenic

adjective

au·​thi·​gen·​ic
¦ȯthə¦jenik
variants or authigenous
(ˈ)ȯ¦thijənəs
: formed where found
used of mineral particles of rocks formed by crystallization in the place they occupy
opposed to allothogenic

Word History

Etymology

German authigen authigenic (from Greek authigenēs born in that place, native, from authi there + -genēs born) + English -ic or -ous; akin to Greek au again

First Known Use

circa 1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of authigenic was circa 1888

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Cite this Entry

“Authigenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authigenic. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

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