epigenesis

noun

epi·​gen·​e·​sis ˌe-pə-ˈje-nə-səs 

1

: development of a plant or animal from an egg or spore through a series of processes in which unorganized cell masses differentiate into organs and organ systems

also : the theory that plant and animal development proceeds in this way compare preformation sense 2

2

: change in the mineral character of a rock owing to outside influences

Examples of epigenesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some species, indeed, can pass this resilience on to their offspring by a process called intergenerational epigenesis. — The Economist, 15 Mar. 2018

Disease researchers, Francis reports, have hopes that the effects of abnormal epigenesis may be reversed. — Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2011

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (William Harvey), from epi- epi- + genesis genesis

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for epigenesis

• biogenesis
• diagenesis
• histogenesis
• lipogenesis
• morphogenesis
• mutagenesis
• neurogenesis
• oncogenesis
• ontogenesis
• paragenesis
• pathogenesis
• petrogenesis

Medical Definition

epigenesis

noun

epi·​gen·​e·​sis ˌep-ə-ˈjen-ə-səs 

plural epigeneses -ˌsēz 

1

: development involving gradual diversification and differentiation of an initially undifferentiated entity (as a zygote or spore) compare preformation

2

: theory of epigenesis