animalculism

n. [ Cf. F. animalculisme. ] 1. (Biol.) The theory which seeks to explain certain physiological and pathological phenomena by means of animalcules. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) The theory that the spermatozoön and not the ovum contains the whole of the embryo; spermatism; -- opposed to ovism. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]