autogenic
|au-to-gen-ic|
/ˌɔːtəˈdʒɛnɪk/
self-generated
Etymology
'autogenic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'autogenēs', where 'auto-' meant 'self' and 'genēs' meant 'born' or 'origin'.
'autogenēs' was Latinized/Modern-Latinized as 'autogenes' or 'autogenicus' in scientific contexts and entered English in the 19th–20th century as 'autogenic' used adjectivally in biology, geology, and psychology.
Initially, it meant 'born of itself' in a literal sense; over time it evolved into the broader adjectival sense 'self-produced' or 'originating from within', applied across scientific and clinical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
produced or originating from within; self-generated or self-originating.
The bacterium's survival was aided by autogenic processes within the colony.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
(Geology/sedimentology) Formed by internal processes within a deposit or rock rather than by external input.
Autogenic mineral growth was observed in the evaporite layers.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 3
(Psychology/medicine) Relating to or brought about by one's own actions or internal processes, as in autogenic training (a relaxation technique).
She used autogenic techniques to lower her stress and slow her heartbeat.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/28 00:29