anlage

[ ahn-lah-guh ]
/ ˈɑn lɑ gə /

noun, plural an·la·gen [ahn-lah-guh n] /ˈɑn lɑ gən/, an·la·ges. (sometimes initial capital letter)

Embryology. an embryonic area capable of forming a structure: the primordium, germ, or bud.
Psychology. an inherited predisposition to certain traits or to a particular character development.

Origin of anlage

1890–95; < German Anlage foundation, basis, as noun derivative of anlegen to lay on or out, apply, equivalent to an- on + legen to lay1

Words nearby anlage

ankylosing spondylitis, ankylosis, ankylostomiasis, ankyroid, anlace, anlage, anlaut, ann, ann arbor, ann., anna

Example sentences from the Web for anlage

British Dictionary definitions for anlage

anlage
/ (ˈænˌlɑːɡə) /

noun plural -gen (-ɡən) or -ges

another word for primordium

Word Origin for anlage

German: predisposition, layout

Medical definitions for anlage

anlage

n. pl. an•la•ges

The initial clustering of embryonic cells from which a part or an organ develops; primordium.
A genetic predisposition to a given trait or personality characteristic.