anlage

an·la·ge also An·la·ge  (änläg)

n. pl. an·la·ges or an·la·gen (-gn)

1. Biology The initial clustering of embryonic cells from which a part or an organ develops; primordium.

2. A genetic predisposition to a given trait or personality characteristic.

3. A fundamental principle; the foundation for a future development.

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[German, fundamental principle, from Middle High German anlge, request : ane-, on (from Old High German ana-; see an- in Indo-European roots) + lge, act of laying (from Old High German lga; see legh- in Indo-European roots).]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

anlage - an organ in its earliest stage of development; the foundation for subsequent development primordium organ - a fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function