Ovism — O vism, n. [Ovum + ism.] (Zo[ o]l.) The old theory that the egg contains the whole embryo of the future organism and the germs of all subsequent offsprings and is merely awakened to activity by the spermatozo[ o]n; opposed to {spermism} or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
ovism — ˈōvizəm noun ( s) Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary ov + ism : an old theory that the egg contains the whole embryo of the future organism and the germs of all subsequent offspring compare animalculism * * * ovism Biol. (ˈəʊvɪz(ə)m)… … Useful english dictionary
Preformationism — is the theory that all organisms were created at the same time, and that succeeding generations grow from homunculi, animalcules, or other fully formed but miniature versions of themselves that have existed since the beginning of creation.In the… … Wikipedia
Animalculism — An i*mal cu*lism, n. [Cf. F. animalculisme.] 1. (Biol.) The theory which seeks to explain certain physiological and pathological phenomena by means of animalcules. [1913 Webster] 2. (Biol.) The theory that the spermatozo[ o]n and not the ovum… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Ovist — O vist, n. (Zo[ o]l.) A believer in ovism. Same as {Ovulist}. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
animalculism — kyəˌlizəm noun ( s) 1. : a former theory in biology: various obscure physiological and pathological phenomena are caused by the activities of minute invisible animals 2. : a former theory in biology: the spermatozoon contains the whole embryo in… … Useful english dictionary
ovist — ˈōvə̇st noun ( s) Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary ov + ist : one holding the theory of ovism … Useful english dictionary
ovistic — (ˈ)ō|vistik adjective : of or relating to ovism or ovists … Useful english dictionary
seminist — ˈsemənə̇st noun ( s) Etymology: Latin semin , semen + English ist : an adherent of the old theory that the offspring is formed by admixture of the seed of the male with the supposed seed of the female compare ovism, spermism … Useful english dictionary
spermism — ˈspərˌmizəm noun ( s) Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary sperm + ism : a theory formerly widely held in biology: the sperm contains the preformed germ of the embryo compare ovism … Useful english dictionary