paedogenesis

1 of 2

noun

pae·​do·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpē-dō-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce paedogenesis (audio)
variants or less commonly pedogenesis
: reproduction by young or larval animals : neoteny
paedogenetic
ˌpē-dō-jə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce paedogenesis (audio)
adjective
or paedogenic
ˌpē-dō-ˈje-nik How to pronounce paedogenesis (audio)
paedogenetically
ˌpē-dō-jə-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce paedogenesis (audio)
adverb

paedogenetic

2 of 2

adjective

pae·​do·​ge·​net·​ic
variants or paedogenic
¦⸗⸗¦jenik How to pronounce paedogenetic (audio)
: of, relating to, or characterized by paedogenesis

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin

Adjective

paedogenesis + -etic or -ic

First Known Use

Noun

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paedogenesis was in 1870

Rhymes for paedogenesis

See All Rhymes for paedogenesis

Browse Nearby Words

paedogamy
paedogenesis
paedogenetic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paedogenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paedogenesis. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

paedogenesis

noun
pae·​do·​gen·​e·​sis
variants also pedogenesis
ˌpēd-ō-ˈjen-ə-səs How to pronounce paedogenesis (audio)
plural paedogeneses -ˌsēz How to pronounce paedogenesis (audio)
: reproduction by young or larval animals
paedogenetic adjective
also pedogenetic
-jə-ˈnet-ik How to pronounce paedogenesis (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on paedogenesis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paedogenesis

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