abiogenesis

noun abio·gen·e·sis \ˌā-ˌbī-ō-ˈje-nə-səs\

Definition of ABIOGENESIS

: the origin of life from nonliving matter: as

b : a theory in the evolution of early life on earth: organic molecules and subsequent simple life forms first originated from inorganic substances

— abi·og·e·nist \ˌā-(ˌ)bī-ˈä-jə-nist\ noun

New Latin, from ²a- + bio- + Latin genesis

First Known Use: 1870

Medical Dictionary

noun abio·gen·e·sis \ˌā-ˌbī-ō-ˈjen-ə-səs\

: the supposed spontaneous origination of living organisms directly from lifeless matter—called also spontaneous generation; compare biogenesis

—abi·og·e·nist \ˌā-(ˌ)bī-ˈäj-ə-nəst\ or abio·gen·e·sist \-ˌbī-ō-ˈjen-ə-səst\ noun

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