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Definition of "epigenesis" [ep•i•gen•e•sis]

  • Biology The theory that an individual is developed by successive differentiation of an unstructured egg rather than by a simple enlarging of a preformed entity. (noun)
  • Geology Change in the mineral content of a rock because of outside influences. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "epigenesis" in a sentence
  • "To-day we can scarcely call epigenesis a THEORY, because we are convinced it is a fact, and can demonstrate it at any moment with the aid of the microscope."
  • "Its "epigenesis" is shown to be a literary example of the phases of cell division, with discussions of its prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase."
  • "This point established, two hypotheses remain: that of 'pre-existence' and that of 'epigenesis'."