n. [ Gr.
I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of abiogenesis. Huxley, 1870. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to abiogenesis.
‖n. [ Gr. &unr_; unmarried (
n. (Biol.) Reproducing or produced without sexual union. --
All known agamogenetic processes end in a complete return to the primitive stock. Huxley. [1913 Webster]
a. [ See Agensis. ] (Physiol.) Characterized by sterility; infecund. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ Gr.
n. [ L. aggenerare to beget in addition. See Generate. ] The act of producing in addition. [ Obs. ] T. Stanley. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Gr. &unr_;. ] Different in nature or kind. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. Alpes Alps + -gen. ] Growing in Alpine regions. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Min.) Leucite. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr.
n. [ Amylum + genesis. ] The formation of starch. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
n.
adj.
n.;
a. Self-produced; autogenous. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ Auto- + genesis. ] (Biol.) Spontaneous generation. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. (Biol.)
. (Phys. Geog.) A system of natural drainage developed by the constituent streams through headwater erosion. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
. (Phys. Geog.) A system of land forms produced by the free action of rain and streams on rocks of uniform texture. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
a. (Biol.) Pertaining to biogenesis. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr.
[ F. brigadier, fr. brigade. ] (Mil.) An officer in rank next above a colonel, and below a major general. He commands a brigade, and is sometimes called, by a shortening of his title, simple a
n. Sternness; severity. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
A Sara for goodness, a great Bellona for budgeness. Stanyhurst. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr. &unr_; new + E. genesis. ] (Biol.) The introduction during embryonic development of characters or structure not present in the earlier evolutionary history of the strain or species (as addition of the placenta in mammalian evolution); a modified evolution, in which nonprimitive characters make their appearance in consequence of a secondary adaptation of the embryo to the peculiar conditions of its environment; -- distinguished from
adj. of or pertaining to cenogenesis. Opposite of
n. [ Gr.
n. [ From L. congener. See Congenerous. ] A thing of the same genus, species, or kind; a thing allied in nature, character, or action. [ 1913 Webster ]
The cherry tree has been often grafted on the laurel, to which it is a congener. P. Miller. [ 1913 Webster ]
Our elk is more polygamous in his habits than any other deer except his congener, the red deer of Europe. Caton. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Similarity of origin; affinity. [ Obs. ] Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. congener; con- + genus, generis, birth, kind, race. See Genus, and cf. Congener. ] Allied in origin or cause; congeneric;
--
n. (Chem.) A highly volatile liquid, condensed by cold and pressure from the first products of the distillation of petroleum; -- used for producing low temperatures. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr.
He degenereth into beastliness. Joye. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ From Degenerate, a. ]
Willful degeneracy from goodness. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]
Degeneracy of spirit in a state of slavery. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]
To recover mankind out of their universal corruption and degeneracy. S. Clarke. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. degeneratus, p. p. of degenerare to degenerate, cause to degenerate, fr. degener base, degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de- + genus race, kind. See Kin relationship. ] Having become worse than one's kind, or one's former state; having declined in worth; having lost in goodness; deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low. [ 1913 Webster ]
Faint-hearted and degenerate king. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
A degenerate and degraded state. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
Degenerate from their ancient blood. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]
These degenerate days. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
I had planted thee a noble vine . . . : how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? Jer. ii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i.
When wit transgresseth decency, it degenerates into insolence and impiety. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.
adv. In a degenerate manner; unworthily. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Degeneracy. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. F. dégénération. ]
Our degeneration and apostasy. Bates. [ 1913 Webster ]
Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]
Amyloid degeneration,
Caseous degeneration, etc.
n. (Biol.) A believer in the theory of degeneration, or hereditary degradation of type;
a. Undergoing or producing degeneration; tending to degenerate. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. degener. See Degenerate. ] Degenerate; base. [ Obs. ] “Degenerous passions.” Dryden. “Degenerous practices.” South. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. Basely. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr.
n. [ Pref. di- + genesis. ] (Biol.) The faculty of multiplying in two ways; -- by ova fecundated by spermatic fluid, and asexually, as by buds. See Parthenogenesis. [ 1913 Webster ]