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ovism

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O´vism
n.1.(Zool.) The old theory that the egg contains the whole embryo of the future organism and the germs of all subsequent offsprings and is merely awakened to activity by the spermatozoön; - opposed to spermism or animalculism.
ovism
the theory that the female reproductive cell contains the entire organism and that the male cell does not contribute anything, merely initiating the growth of the female cell.
See also: Biology
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The theories of procreation known as ovism and homunculism gave different spins to this outlook in projecting the idea that tiny humans were somehow wholly present in the female egg or in the male sperm.
Catholic identity and the abortion debate by Coady, Tony / Conscience
Although this has nothing to do with Spallanzani's ovism, it is a fascinating detail that vividly brings to life this important player in the preformationist debates.
The Ovary of Eve: Egg and Sperm and Preformation by Thomas, Joe A. / The Journal of Sex Research
 
 
 
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