epigenesis
noun
epi·gen·e·sis ˌe-pə-ˈje-nə-səs 
1
: development of a plant or animal from an egg or spore through a series of processes in which unorganized cell masses differentiate into organs and organ systems
also : the theory that plant and animal development proceeds in this way compare preformation sense 2
2
: change in the mineral character of a rock owing to outside influences
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Some species, indeed, can pass this resilience on to their offspring by a process called intergenerational epigenesis. 
The Economist, 15 Mar. 2018
The Economist, 15 Mar. 2018 Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin (William Harvey), from epi- epi- + genesis genesis
First Known Use
1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
epigenesis
noun
epi·gen·e·sis ˌep-ə-ˈjen-ə-səs
plural epigeneses -ˌsēz
1
: development involving gradual diversification and differentiation of an initially undifferentiated entity (as a zygote or spore) compare preformation
2
: theory of epigenesis
- dyer's alkanet
- dyer's barberry
- dyer's buckthorn
- dyer's cleavers
- dyer's furze
- dyer's genista
- dyer's grape
- dyer's greenweed
- dyer's greenwood
- dyer's mignonette
- dyer's mulberry
- dyer's oak
- dyer's rocket
- dyer's saffron
- dyer's whin
- dyer's woad
- dyer's woodruff
- dyer's-broom
- dyer's-brooms
- dyer's-weed
- dyer's-weeds
- Dyerma
- dyermas
- dyers
- dyes