Development of the individual, as distinguished from phylogeny, which is evolutionary development of the species. SYN: ontogenesis. [G. on, being, + genesis, origin]
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on·tog·e·ny än-'täj-ə-nē n, pl -nies the development or course of development of an individual organism called also ontogenesis compare PHYLOGENY (2)
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n.
the history of the development of an individual from the fertilized egg to maturity.
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on·tog·e·ny (on-tojґə-ne) [Gr. ōn existing + -geny] the development of the individual organism. Cf. phylogeny. ontogenetic, ontogenic adjMedical dictionary. 2011.