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Webster 1913 Edition


Metagenesis

Metˊa-gen′e-sis

,
Noun.
[Pref.
meta-
+
genesis
.]
1.
(Biol.)
The change of form which one animal species undergoes in a series of successively produced individuals, extending from the one developed from the ovum to the final perfected individual. Hence, metagenesis involves the production of sexual individuals by nonsexual means, either directly or through intervening sexless generations. Opposed to
monogenesis
. See
Alternate generation
, under
Generation
.
2.
(Biol.)
Alternation of sexual and asexual or gemmiparous generations; – in distinction from
heterogamy
.

Definition 2024


metagenesis

metagenesis

English

Noun

metagenesis (usually uncountable, plural metageneses)

  1. (biology) the production of sexual and asexual organisms in alternate generations

Synonyms