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Glite Dictionary
🧬 Many genes involved 🌍 Many origins
polygenesis

polygenesis

9.9
The idea that a group or language begins in more than one place, not just one
  • noun
  • /ˌpɒlɪˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : poligenia
  • Many researchers support the concept of polygenesis in human evolution.

Examples

  • Modern science generally rejects polygenesis in favor of a common ancestry for all humans.

  • The theory of polygenesis suggests multiple origins for languages.

  • The idea of polygenesis was once used to explain the diversity of human populations.

  • Some linguists debate whether language families arose through polygenesis or a single origin.

  • The theory of polygenesis suggests that languages can develop from multiple sources rather than one.

  • According to polygenesis, certain cultural practices may have evolved independently in different societies.

  • The debate on polygenesis challenges the idea that all humans share a single ancestral lineage.

Synonyms

polygenism
vspolygenesis
  • Archaic
1 9.9

The belief that a species began separately in many places

is the same theory but uses a different word form or suffix

How Many Origins

polygenesis
  • Specialized
9.9
monogenesis
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

polygenesis singular
polygeneses plural

Morphology

polygenesis = genesis (transparent) = poly + genesis

The meaning 'several independent origins' follows directly from 'poly' meaning many and 'genesis' meaning origin or beginning.

Etymology

Polygenesis comes from the Greek parts poly- ('many') and -genesis ('origin' or 'birth'), like in the book Genesis. A helpful way to remember the idea is 'many origins': it says a group, species, or language began in several places, which is why polygenesis means origin from more than one source.