spontaneous generation

noun Biology.

abiogenesis.

Origin of spontaneous generation

First recorded in 1650–60

Words nearby spontaneous generation

spontaneous, spontaneous abortion, spontaneous amputation, spontaneous combustion, spontaneous gangrene of newborn, spontaneous generation, spontaneous intermittent mandatory ventilation, spontaneous mutation, spontaneous pneumothorax, spontaneous recovery, spontaneous version

British Dictionary definitions for spontaneous generation

spontaneous generation

noun

a theory, widely held in the 19th century and earlier but now discredited, stating that living organisms could arise directly and rapidly from nonliving material Also called: abiogenesis

Scientific definitions for spontaneous generation

spontaneous generation

The supposed development of living organisms from nonliving matter, as maggots from rotting meat. The theory of spontaneous generation for larger organisms was easily shown to be false, but the theory was not fully discredited until the mid-19th century with the demonstration of the existence and reproduction of microorganisms, most notably by Louis Pasteur. Also called abiogenesis