anlage

[ ahn-lah-guh ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

, plural an·la·gen [ahn, -lah-g, uh, n], an·la·ges.

1. Embryology. an embryonic area capable of forming a structure: the primordium, germ, or bud.
2. Psychology. an inherited predisposition to certain traits or to a particular character development.

anlage

/ ˈænˌlɑːɡə /

noun

1. another word for primordium

Word History and Origins

Origin of anlage¹

1890–95; < German Anlage foundation, basis, as noun derivative of anlegen to lay on or out, apply, equivalent to an- on + legen to lay ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of anlage¹

German: predisposition, layout

Example Sentences

Braus138 has proved this by transplanting the anlage of a foreleg to different parts of the body.

From Project Gutenberg

Rudiment, used here as a translation for the word anlage, which means the first plotting-out or beginning of a living structure.

From Project Gutenberg

As this groove is followed caudad its ventral wall is seen to become much thickened, tg, to form the anlage of the thyroid gland.

From Project Gutenberg

By virtue of this difference the egg-substance is characterized as the Anlage, or germ of the mature organism.

From Project Gutenberg

The respiratory system is represented by the anlage of the lungs, a longitudinal protrusion of the ventral wall of the esophagus.

From Project Gutenberg