preformation
English
Etymology
From pre- + formation.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /pɹiːfɔːˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
Noun
preformation (countable and uncountable, plural preformations)
- Prior formation.
- (biology, historical) The theory that organisms are fully developed in the form of an egg or seed, and just increase in size (as opposed to epigenesis).
- 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial 2004, p. 174:
- Preformation, as even Aristotle spotted, merely postpones the problem, for how did the homunculus get its shape?
- 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial 2004, p. 174:
Alternative forms
- praeformation