preformationism

English

Etymology

From preformation +‎ -ism.

Noun

preformationism (uncountable)

1. (biology) 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)

Translations

the theory that all organisms start their existence already in a predetermined form

• Portuguese: preformismo m