paedogenesis

1 of 3

noun (1)

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

pedogenesis

2 of 3

noun (2)

pe·​do·​gen·​e·​sis

less common spelling of paedogenesis

: reproduction by young or larval animals : neoteny

pedogenesis

3 of 3

noun (3)

ped·​o·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpe-də-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce pedogenesis (audio)
: the formation and development of soil
pedogenic
ˌpe-də-ˈje-nik How to pronounce pedogenesis (audio)
adjective
or less commonly pedogenetic
ˌpe-də-jə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce pedogenesis (audio)

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

New Latin

Noun (3)

New Latin, from Greek pedon + Latin genesis

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1870, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1935, 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 20 Jun. 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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