palingenesis

noun

pal·​in·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpa-lən-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce palingenesis (audio)
: metempsychosis
palingenetic
ˌpa-lən-jə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce palingenesis (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek palin again + Latin genesis genesis

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of palingenesis was in 1661

Rhymes for palingenesis

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Browse Nearby Words

palingenesian
palingenesis
palingenesist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

palingenesis

noun
pal·​in·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpal-ən-ˈjen-ə-səs How to pronounce palingenesis (audio)
plural palingeneses -ˌsēz How to pronounce palingenesis (audio)
: the appearance in an individual during its development of characters or structures that have been maintained essentially unchanged throughout the evolutionary history of the group to which it belongs

More from Merriam-Webster on palingenesis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about palingenesis

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