kleptogenesis

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/ˌklɛptəʊˈd͡ʒɛnɪsɪs/

noun

Reproduction by a unisexual species using sperm 'stolen' by mating with members of a related bisexual species.

OriginAncient Greek κλέπτω →
Scrabble 20
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Meanings

nounkleptogenesis (uncountable)
  1. uncountablebiologyReproduction by a unisexual species using sperm 'stolen' by mating with members of a related bisexual species.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekκλέπτω“steal”
  2. Englishkleptogenesis

From Ancient Greek κλέπτω (kléptō, “steal”) + γένεσις (génesis, “origin, creation, generation”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

kleptogenesis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kleptogenesis

MLA

“kleptogenesis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kleptogenesis. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “kleptogenesis,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kleptogenesis.

Source: kleptogenesis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.