palingenesis

noun

pal·​in·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpa-lən-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce palingenesis (audio)
palingenetic adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek palin again + Latin genesis genesis

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of palingenesis was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near palingenesis

Cite this Entry

“Palingenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palingenesis. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

palingenesis

noun
pal·​in·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpal-ən-ˈjen-ə-səs How to pronounce palingenesis (audio)
plural palingeneses -ˌsēz How to pronounce palingenesis (audio)
: the appearance in an individual during its development of characters or structures that have been maintained essentially unchanged throughout the evolutionary history of the group to which it belongs

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