parthenogenetically
|par-the-no-gen-et-ic-al-ly|
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/ˌpɑrθənoʊdʒəˈnɛtɪkəli/
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/ˌpɑːθənəʊdʒəˈnɛtɪkəli/
(parthenogenetic)
virgin birth (no fertilization)
Etymology
'parthenogenetically' originates from Greek via New Latin and English, specifically the word 'parthenogenesis', where 'parthenos' meant 'virgin' and 'genesis' meant 'birth' or 'origin'.
'parthenogenetically' developed from the adjective 'parthenogenetic', which in turn comes from the noun 'parthenogenesis' (New Latin/Modern Greek). 'Parthenogenesis' was formed in scientific usage in the 19th century from Greek elements 'parthenos' + 'genesis' and later produced the English adjective 'parthenogenetic' and the adverb 'parthenogenetically'.
Initially it referred literally to 'virgin birth' (the idea of birth from a virgin), but over time it came to mean 'asexual reproduction without fertilization' in biological and scientific usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner relating to parthenogenesis; by or through parthenogenesis — i.e., without fertilization (development from an unfertilized egg).
Some lizard species reproduce parthenogenetically, producing offspring without fertilization.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/11 05:57