Par`the*no*gen"e*sis (?), n. [Gr.
parqe`nos a virgin + E. genesis.] 1.
(Biol.) The production of new individuals from virgin
females by means of ova which have the power of developing without the
intervention of the male element; the production, without
fertilization, of cells capable of germination. It is one of the
phenomena of alternate generation. Cf. Heterogamy, and
Metagenesis.
2. (Bot.) The production of seed
without fertilization, believed to occur through the nonsexual
formation of an embryo extraneous to the embrionic vesicle.