epigenesis
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Related to epigenesis: Epigenetics
ep·i·gen·e·sis
(ĕp′ə-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs)n.
1. Biology The theory that an individual is developed by successive differentiation of an unstructured egg rather than by a simple enlarging of a preformed entity.
2. Geology Change in the mineral content of a rock because of outside influences.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
epigenesis
(ˌɛpɪˈdʒɛnɪsɪs)n
1. (Biology) the widely accepted theory that an individual animal or plant develops by the gradual differentiation and elaboration of a fertilized egg cell. Compare preformation2
2. (Geological Science) the formation or alteration of rocks after the surrounding rock has been formed
3. (Geological Science) alteration of the mineral composition of a rock by external agents: a type of metamorphism
ˌepiˈgenesist, epigenist n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ep•i•gen•e•sis
(ˌɛp ɪˈdʒɛn ə sɪs)n.
1.
a. the stepwise process by which genetic information, as modified by environmental influences, is translated into the substance and behavior of an organism.
b. the theory that an embryo develops from the successive differentiation of an originally undifferentiated structure (opposed to preformation).
2. ore deposition subsequent to the original formation of the enclosing country rock.
[1800–10]
ep`i•gen′e•sist, e•pig•e•nist (ɪˈpɪdʒ ə nɪst) n.
ep`i•ge•net′ic (-dʒəˈnɛt ɪk) adj.
ep`i•ge•net′i•cal•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
epigenesis
1. the appearance of a secondary symptom in a disease or illness.
2. the secondary symptom itself. See also biology; geology. — epigenetic, adj.
See also: Disease and Illness2. the secondary symptom itself. See also biology; geology. — epigenetic, adj.
the biological theory that germ cells are structureless and the embryo develops through the action of environment on the protoplasm. Cf. preformation. See also birth; disease and illness; geology. — epigenetic, adj.
See also: Biologythe formation of a cell as a new product and not as the result of development from some existing cell. — epigenetic, adj.
See also: Cellsthe process of metamorphism. See also biology; disease and illness. — epigenetic, adj.
See also: Geologythe theory that embryonic development is totally controlled by the cell’s environment. Cf. syngenesis. — epigenesist, n. — epigenetic, adj.
See also: Birth-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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| Noun | 1. | epigenesis - a geological change in the mineral content of rock after the rock has formed metamorphism - change in the structure of rock by natural agencies such as pressure or heat or introduction of new chemical substances |
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