Epigenesis

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Epigenesis \Ep`i*gen"e*sis\, n. [Pref. epi- + genesis.] (Biol.)
     The theory of generation which holds that the germ is created
     entirely new, not merely expanded, by the procreative power
     of the parents. It is opposed to the theory of {evolution},
     also to {syngenesis}.
     [1913 Webster]



From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  epigenesis
       n : a geological change in the mineral content of rock after the
           rock has formed