polygenesis

English

Etymology

poly- +‎ -genesis

Noun

polygenesis (usually uncountable, plural polygeneses)

  1. The genesis of a species from more than one ancestor.
  2. (biology) The theory that living organisms originate in cells or embryos of different kinds, instead of coming from a single cell; as opposed to monogenesis.
  3. (linguistics) The theory that languages developed independently in different places at different periods, as opposed to originating from a single source.

See also

References
  • polygenesis in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
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