preformationism

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noun

the theory that all organisms start their existence already in a predetermined form upon conception and this form does not change in the course of their lifetime (as opposed to epigenesis)

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Meanings

nounpreformationism (uncountable)
  1. uncountablebiologythe theory that all organisms start their existence already in a predetermined form upon conception and this form does not change in the course of their lifetime (as opposed to epigenesis)

Origin

From preformation + -ism.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Portuguese preformismo
  • preformismothe theory that all organisms start their existence already in a predetermined form
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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