anthropogenous
|an-thro-po-gen-ous|
🇺🇸
/ˌænθrəˈpɑːdʒənəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌænθrəˈpɒdʒənəs/
human-origin / human-caused
Etymology
'anthropogenous' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'anthropos' and 'genos', where 'anthropos' meant 'human' and 'genos' meant 'birth, origin'.
'anthropogenous' was formed in New Latin/Modern English from Greek elements 'anthropos' + '-genous'; it parallels coinages like 'anthropogenic' that appeared in scientific usage in the 19th century and entered English technical vocabulary.
Initially it meant 'of human origin'; over time the sense has remained but broadened in many contexts to emphasize 'caused by human activity' (especially in environmental discourse).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
caused by human activity; originating from human actions (often used about environmental or ecological impacts).
The increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations is largely anthropogenous, driven by fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.
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Adjective 2
originating from humans or human sources (used in biological, archaeological, or forensic contexts to indicate human origin).
Certain microbes detected at the site were judged to be anthropogenous, introduced by human waste.
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Last updated: 2025/08/25 20:46