abiogenesis Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a hypothetical organic phenomenon by which living organisms are created from nonliving matter
    spontaneous generation; autogeny; autogenesis.

WordNet

Ab`i*o*gen"e*sis noun
Etymology
Gr. priv. + life + , origin, birth.
Definitions
  1. (Biol.) The supposed origination of living organisms from lifeless matter; such genesis as does not involve the action of living parents; spontaneous generation; -- called also abiogeny, and opposed to biogenesis.
    I shall call the . . . doctrine that living matter may be produced by not living matter, the hypothesis of abiogenesis. Huxley, 1870.

Webster 1913