palingenesis

[ pal-in-jen-uh-sis ]

noun

1. rebirth; regeneration.
2. Biology.
   1. embryonic development that reproduces the ancestral features of the species.
   2. Obsolete. the supposed generation of organisms from others preformed in the germ cells.
3. baptism in the Christian faith.
4. the doctrine of transmigration of souls.

palingenesis

/ ˌpælɪndʒəˈnɛtɪk; ˌpælɪnˈdʒɛnɪsɪs /

noun

1. Christianity spiritual rebirth through metempsychosis of Christian baptism
2. See recapitulation
   biology another name for recapitulation

Derived Forms

• palingenetic, adjective
• ˌpalingeˈnetically, adverb

Other Words From

• pal·in·ge·ne·si·an [pal-in-j, uh, -, nee, -zhee-, uh, n, -zh, uh, n], pal·in·ge·net·ic [pal-in-j, uh, -, net, -ik], adjective
• palin·ge·neti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of palingenesis¹

1615–25; < New Latin < Greek pálin again + génesis genesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of palingenesis¹

C19: from Greek palin again + genesis birth, genesis

Example Sentences

Delormel, Descartes, and Lavater were struck with the tremendous importance of the doctrine of Palingenesis.

From Project Gutenberg

But he has so little mastered it that he has never understood the distinction between palingenesis and cenogenesis.

From Project Gutenberg

The process of the Palingenesis—this picture of immortality—is described.

From Project Gutenberg

It could not last long upon these terms, and again it passed away, and still waits its second palingenesis.

From Project Gutenberg

Some can push by the awful hour and live again, but for Anna Dickinson there could be, and was, no such palingenesis.

From Project Gutenberg