xenogeneic

adjective

xe·​no·​ge·​ne·​ic ˌze-nō-jə-ˈnē-ik How to pronounce xenogeneic (audio) ˌzē- How to pronounce xenogeneic (audio)
: derived from, originating in, or being a member of another species

Word History

Etymology

xeno- + -geneic (in allogeneic, syngeneic)

Note: The word was introduced by the British immunologist Peter A. Gorer (1907-61) in the article "Proposed revisions of 'Transplantese'," Nature, vol. 189, no. 4769 (March 25, 1961), pp. 1024-25, as a replacement for the term hetero-specific. See also note at allogeneic.

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of xenogeneic was in 1961

Rhymes for xenogeneic

See All Rhymes for xenogeneic

Browse Nearby Words

xenogamy
xenogeneic
xenogenesis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

xenogeneic

adjective
xe·​no·​ge·​ne·​ic ˌzen-ō-jə-ˈnē-ik How to pronounce xenogeneic (audio) ˌzēn- How to pronounce xenogeneic (audio)
variants also xenogenic
-ˈjen-ik How to pronounce xenogeneic (audio)
: derived from, originating in, or being a member of another species
xenogeneic tissue
compare allogeneic, syngeneic
Last Updated: - Definition revised
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