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preformation
[ pree-fawr-mey-shuhn ]
noun
- previous formation.
- Biology. (formerly) the theory that the individual, with all its parts, preexists in the germ cell and grows from microscopic to normal proportions during embryogenesis ( epigenesis ).
preformation
/ ˌpriːfɔːˈmeɪʃən /
noun
- the act of forming in advance; previous formation
- biology the theory, now discredited, that an individual develops by simple enlargement of a fully differentiated egg cell Compare epigenesis
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Other Words From
- prefor·mation·ar·y adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of preformation1
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Example Sentences
Let us first cast a historical glance at the older ontogeny, and the theory of preformation which is connected with it.
From Project Gutenberg
In any case, we can state today that the cytoplasm contains the rough preformation of the future embryo.
From Project Gutenberg
It is interesting to display the essential contrast between preformation and epigenesis in the poetical words of Wolff himself.
From Project Gutenberg
In this respect it is like its predecessor, the theory of preformation of the eighteenth century.
From Project Gutenberg
Preformation, identical with the original meaning of evolution, which see.
From Project Gutenberg
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