anlagen
|an-la-gen|
🇺🇸
/ˈæn.ləɡən/
🇬🇧
/ˈæn.lɑːɡən/
(anlage)
initial laying down; predisposition
Etymology
'anlage' originates from German, specifically the word 'Anlage', where the prefix 'an-' meant 'on/to' and 'Lage' meant 'position/site'.
'anlage' was borrowed into English from German (Anlage) in the 19th century, initially used in technical and scientific contexts (embryology, psychology) and retaining its German form as a loanword; the English plural 'anlagen' follows the original German plural.
Initially in German it could refer to a 'layout, position, or setting'; over time in scientific usage it developed the specialized senses of 'embryonic rudiment' and 'innate predisposition' that are used in English.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an embryonic rudiment or primordium — the early, undeveloped tissue that will become a specific organ or structure.
The researcher studied the anlagen of the kidney to understand how nephrons form.
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Noun 2
an innate predisposition, tendency, or capacity — a natural or hereditary inclination toward a trait or behavior.
Her musical anlagen were apparent long before she began formal lessons.
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Noun 3
a German-derived usage referring to attachments, enclosures, or appendices (often seen in documents as 'Anlagen').
Please refer to the anlagen for the supporting documents.
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Last updated: 2025/08/14 19:51