preformation

== English == === Etymology === From pre- + formation. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /pɹiːfɔːˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/ === Noun === preformation (countable and uncountable, plural preformations) Prior formation. (biology, historical) The theory that organisms are fully developed in the form of an egg or seed, and just increase in size (as opposed to epigenesis). ==== Alternative forms ==== praeformation ==== Derived terms ====