polygenesis

[ pol-ee-jen-uh-sis ]
/ ˌpɒl iˈdʒɛn ə sɪs /

noun Biology, Anthropology.

origin from more than one ancestral species or line.

Origin of polygenesis

First recorded in 1860–65; poly- + -genesis

Example sentences from the Web for polygenesis

British Dictionary definitions for polygenesis

polygenesis
/ (ˌpɒlɪˈdʒɛnɪsɪs) /

noun

biology evolution of a polyphyletic organism or group
the hypothetical descent of the different races of man from different ultimate ancestors
Compare monogenesis

Derived forms of polygenesis

polygenetic (ˌpɒlɪdʒɪˈnɛtɪk), adjective polygenetically, adverb