theory of preformation

Từ điển WordNet v3.1 - WordNet Dictionary

noun

a theory (popular in the 18th century and now discredited) that an individual develops by simple enlargement of a tiny fully formed organism (a homunculus) that exists in the germ cell
• Syn:
preformation
• Derivationally related forms:
preform (for: preformation)
• Hypernyms:
theory