monogenesis

[ mon-uh-jen-uh-sis ]

noun

1. the hypothetical descent of the human race from a single pair of individuals.
2. Biology. the hypothetical descent of all living things from a single cell.

monogenesis

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs; mɒˈnɒdʒɪnɪ /

noun

1. the hypothetical descent of all organisms from a single cell or organism
2. asexual reproduction in animals
3. the direct development of an ovum into an organism resembling the adult
4. the hypothetical descent of all human beings from a single pair of ancestors

Word History and Origins

Origin of monogenesis¹

First recorded in 1860–65; mono- + -genesis

Example Sentences

The Princeton president tried to stop the polygenesis theory that the races are created unequal, stoutly defending biblical monogenesis and the notion that first humans were white.

From New York Times

The belief that Adam was the biological father of a human race baked by the sun into different tribes was known as monogenesis, for its rejection of separate creations of the different tribes.

From Salon

He goes on: The “Out of Africa” model, which is classical monogenesis on steroids, does not perturb our intuitions about ideal types and kinds.

From Forbes