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Definition of parthenogenesis - 6 dictionary results

par⋅the⋅no⋅gen⋅e⋅sis

[par-thuh-noh-jen-uh-sis]
–noun Biology.
development of an egg without fertilization.

Origin:
1840–50; partheno- + genesis


par⋅the⋅no⋅ge⋅net⋅ic [pahr-thuh-noh-juh-net-ik] , adjective
par⋅the⋅no⋅ge⋅net⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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par·the·no·gen·e·sis   (pär'thə-nō-jěn'ĭ-sĭs)   
n.  A form of reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual, occurring commonly among insects and certain other arthropods.

[New Latin : Greek parthenos, virgin + genesis.]
par'the·no·ge·net'ic (-jə-nět'ĭk) adj., par'the·no·ge·net'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

parthenogenesis 
"reproduction without fertilization," 1849, from Gk. parthenos "virgin" + genesis (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: par·the·no·gen·e·sis
Pronunciation: "pär-th&-nO-'jen-&-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural par·the·no·gen·e·ses /-"sEz/
: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occursespecially among lower plants and invertebrate animals
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

parthenogenesis par·the·no·gen·e·sis (pär'thə-nō-jěn'ĭ-sĭs)
n.
A form of reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual, occurring commonly among insects and certain other arthropods.


par'the·no·ge·net'ic (-jə-nět'ĭk) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Encyclopedia

parthenogenesis

biological reproduction that involves development of a female (rarely a male) gamete (sex cell) without fertilization. It occurs commonly among lower plants and invertebrate animals, particularly rotifers, aphids, ants, wasps, and bees. An egg produced parthenogenetically may be either haploid (i.e., with one set of dissimilar chromosomes) or diploid (i.e., with a paired set of chromosomes).

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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