spontaneous generation

noun

, Biology.

1. abiogenesis.

spontaneous generation

noun

1. a theory, widely held in the 19th century and earlier but now discredited, stating that living organisms could arise directly and rapidly from nonliving material Also calledabiogenesis

spontaneous generation

1. The supposed development of living organisms from nonliving matter, as maggots from rotting meat. The theory of spontaneous generation for larger organisms was easily shown to be false, but the theory was not fully discredited until the mid-19th century with the demonstration of the existence and reproduction of microorganisms, most notably by Louis Pasteur.
2. Also called abiogenesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of spontaneous generation¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

Put another way, the show refutes the idea of the spontaneous generation of masterpieces.

From New York Times

To settle the scientific battle, the French Academy of Sciences sponsored a contest for the best experiment to prove or disprove spontaneous generation.

From Salon

It's hard to fathom this stuff, but it's more complicated than spontaneous generation.

From Salon

Others were the product of imperfect observation, such as Lamarck’s theory that acquired characteristics could be inherited or the theory of spontaneous generation.

From Los Angeles Times

This will presumably require that such competing theories as the story given in Genesis and Aristotle's theory of spontaneous generation be taught along with Darwinism.

From Scientific American