spontaneous generation

/spɑnˌteɪniəs ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪʃən/
IPA guide

Other forms: spontaneous generations

Definitions of spontaneous generation
  1. noun
    a hypothesis that living things gradually arose from nonliving matter
    synonyms: abiogenesis, autogenesis, autogeny
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    type of:
    organic phenomenon
    (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals
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