polygenesis

noun poly·gen·e·sis \ ˌpä-lē-ˈje-nə-səs \

Definition of polygenesis

: development from more than one source

Recent Examples of polygenesis from the Web

Douglass was especially critical of the promotion of polygenesis: the idea that the races of humankind emerged in separate creation events and with unequal capacities.

— britt rusert, Slate Magazine, "Lessons to Learn From the “Fugitive Scientists”," 1 Mar. 2017
Far less so is Samuel Morton (champion of the obsolete theory of polygenesis) or Thomas Dixon (author of novels romanticizing Klan violence).

— ibram x. kendi, New York Times, "A History of Race and Racism in America, in 24 Chapters," 22 Feb. 2017
This shaped his application of special creationism to humans, in a theory that came to be known as polygenesis.

— National Geographic, "Darwin's Theory of Evolution Roiled U.S. on Eve of Civil War," 5 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polygenesis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.