PARTHENONGENESIS

PRONUNCIATION: (par-thuh-no-JEN-uh-sis)

MEANING: noun: Reproduction without fertilization.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek partheno- (without fertilization, maiden) + -genesis (creation). Earliest documented use: 1849.

__________________________

PARTHENON-GENESIS - D'ya think we might build a great big building in Rome with our spare time and extra slaves. People could come and pray to Athena. (Not to be confused with PARTHE-NONGENESIS - Nah, it's probably just a waste of money, and they'll only tear it down in a couple of years anyway....)

PART-HEMOGENESIS - bone marrow that makes only red cells, not white cells or platelets

PARTHENOGENERIS - Ellen's pregnant!