abiogenesis — ONAD

abiogenesis /ˌābīōˈjenəsəs, ˌeɪbaɪoʊˈdʒɛnəsəs

▸ noun the original evolution of life or living organisms from inorganic or inanimate substances:

to construct any convincing theory of abiogenesis, we must take into account the condition of the Earth about 4 billion years ago.

▪ historical another term for spontaneous generation.

– ORIGIN late 19th century : from a-1 ‘not’ + Greek bios ‘life’ + genesis.