panspermia

P3A1N1S1P3E1R1M3I1A1

noun

The hypothesis that microorganisms may transmit life from outer space to habitable bodies; or the process of such transmission.

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Meanings

nounpanspermia (uncountable)
  1. uncountablebiologyThe hypothesis that microorganisms may transmit life from outer space to habitable bodies; or the process of such transmission.

    Lederberg's ideas were tinged with Cold War paranoia. In his hands, panspermia came to resemble horizontal gene transfer on a cosmic scale.

    2020, Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life, page 88

Origin

From panspermy + -ia.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish panspermia
  • panspermiahypothetical force
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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