2 definitions
for abiogenesis
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Abiogenesis \Ab`i*o*gen"e*sis\, n. [Gr. 'a priv. + bi`os life +
ge`nesis, origin, birth.] (Biol.)
The supposed origination of living organisms from lifeless
matter; such genesis as does not involve the action of living
parents; spontaneous generation; -- called also abiogeny,
and opposed to biogenesis.
[1913 Webster]
I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may
be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of
abiogenesis. --Huxley,
1870.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 :
abiogenesis
n : a hypothetical organic phenomenon by which living organisms
are created from nonliving matter [syn: autogenesis, autogeny,
spontaneous generation]
