*agene*

‖n. [ Gr. 'a priv. + &unr_; birth. ] (Physiol.) Any imperfect development of the body, or any anomaly of organization. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. extra- + L. genus race. ] Belonging to another race or kind. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; race + E. genesis. ] (Biol.) Alternate generation. See under Generation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. meta- + genesis. ] 1. (Biol.) The change of form which one animal species undergoes in a series of successively produced individuals, extending from the one developed from the ovum to the final perfected individual. Hence, metagenesis involves the production of sexual individuals by nonsexual means, either directly or through intervening sexless generations. Opposed to monogenesis. See Alternate generation, under Generation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) Alternation of sexual and asexual or gemmiparous generations; -- in distinction from heterogamy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to metagenesis. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the causing of a mutation or the occurrence of a mutation{ 3 }. [ PJC ]

n. [ Pref. para- + genesis. ] 1. (Min.) The science which treats of minerals with special reference to their origin. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Geol.) (a) The formation of minerals in contact, so as to affect one another's development. (b) The order in which minerals occurring together in rocks and veins have developed. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ LL. quadragena, fr. L. quadrageni forty each, akin to quadraginta forty. ] (R. C. Ch.) An indulgence of forty days, corresponding to the forty days of ancient canonical penance. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Russ. sajene. ] A Russian measure of length equal to about seven English feet. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being sage; wisdom; sagacity; prudence; gravity. Ascham. [ 1913 Webster ]