-genesiscomb. form

Etymology: Probably partly < post-classical Latin -genesis, combining form (1651 (in epigenesis epigenesis n.) or earlier), and partly < its etymon ancient Greek γένεσις genesis n.; compare also Hellenistic Greek -γένεσις , combining form (a small number of formations in which are found from the 2nd cent. a.d.). Compare -geny comb. form.Attested earliest in the 17th cent. in the Latin loan epigenesis n., and slightly later in palingenesis n. Both formations within English and adaptations of foreign terms are numerous from at least the first half of the 19th cent. Compare French -génésie (formations in which are found from the early 19th cent. or earlier, e.g. ostéogénésie osteogenesis n.), -génèse , -genèse (formations in which are found from the first half of the 19th cent. or earlier), German -genese (formations in which are found from the first half of the 19th cent. or earlier, e.g. Pathogenese pathogenesis n.), -genesis (formations in which are found from the first half of the 19th cent. or earlier, e.g. Phytogenesis phytogenesis n.). Many English formations from the 19th cent. onwards are modelled on formations in these languages; a smaller number (e.g. paedogenesis n., perigenesis n., phytogenesis n.) are direct loans < German formations in -genesis . Chiefly combining with first elements ultimately of Greek origin, but compare e.g. miscegenesis n., ovigenesis n., ovogenesis n., with first elements of Latin origin. Most formations belong to the scientific vocabulary.