parthenogenesis
Meanings
Plural: parthenogeneses
Noun
- human conception without fertilization by a man
- process in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual; common among insects and some other arthropods
- Referring to various aspects of asexual reproduction:
- (An instance of) reproduction by the development of a single gamete (an ovum or ovule) without fertilisation by a gamete of the opposite sex; compare monogenesis, metagenesis, and heterogamy.
- Referring to various aspects of asexual reproduction:
- Asexual reproduction in toto; agamogenesis.
- figurative uses of the biological senses
- Virgin birth, in reference to the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.
Origin / Etymology
From parthen- + -o- + -genesis, from Ancient Greek παρθένος (parthénos, “virgin”) and γένεσις (génesis, “origin, creation, generation”).
Synonyms
parthenogeny, virgin birth
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