preformation
preformation · preformations
Prior formationPrior formation.
/pɹiːfɔːˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
Meaning
2 senses(countable, uncountable)Prior formation.
(countable, historical, uncountable)The theory that organisms are fully developed in the form of an egg or seed, and just increase in size (as opposed to epigenesis).
More definitions
- a theory (popular in the 18th century and now discredited) that an individual develops by simple enlargement of a tiny fully formed organism (a homunculus) that exists in the germ cell
Forms
plural: preformationsSynonyms
1 synonymsClose in meaning
- a theory (popular in the 18th century and now discredited) that an individual develops by simple enlargement of a tiny fully formed organism (a homunculus) that exists in the germ cell:theory of preformation
Word family
4 related wordsRelatedpreform
Lessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable