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panspermia

Pronunciation: /panˈspəːmɪə/

Definition of panspermia

noun

[mass noun]
  • the theory that life on the earth originated from microorganisms or chemical precursors of life present in outer space and able to initiate life on reaching a suitable environment.

Origin:

mid 19th century: from Greek, from panspermos 'containing all kinds of seed'

panspermia in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of panspermia in the US English dictionary