n.
Pronunciation: ˌ o ̇ r-th ə - ' je-n ə -s ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin
Date: 1895
: variation of organisms in successive generations that in some especially former evolutionary theories takes place in some predestined direction resulting in progressive evolutionary trends independent of external factors
– or · tho · ge · net · ic \ -j ə - ' ne-tik \ adjective
– or · tho · ge · net · i · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb