Theory of Preformation

nounverified·updated May 18, 2026

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a theory (popular in the 18th century and now discredited) that an individual develops by simple enlargement of a tiny fully formed organism (a homunculus) that exists in the germ cell

Framework senses

2 senses across 2 frameworks

Wordset Dictionary1 senseview framework →

§1: a theory (popular in the 18th century and now discredited) that an individual develops by simple enlargement of a tiny fully formed organism (a homunculus) that exists in the germ cell

Legacy lexicon import1 senseview framework →

§1 · legacy_primary: a theory (popular in the 18th century and now discredited) that an individual develops by simple enlargement of a tiny fully formed organism (a homunculus) that exists in the germ cell
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