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homunculus

noun
ho·​mun·​cu·​lus | \ hō-ˈməŋ-kyə-ləs How to pronounce homunculus (audio) \
plural homunculi\ hō-​ˈməŋ-​kyə-​ˌlī How to pronounce homunculi (audio) , -​ˌlē \

Definition of homunculus

1 : a little man : manikin
2 : a miniature adult that in the theory of preformation is held to inhabit the germ cell and to produce a mature individual merely by an increase in size

Examples of homunculus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The book culminates with Christian’s involvement in complex laboratory preparations, including the creation of a bird that is then killed; its ashes are used to make two homunculi, which, in the laboratory, grow to become the bridal couple. — Peter Bebergal, The New Yorker, "Reimagining a Shadowy Medieval Brotherhood That Probably Didn’t Exist," 26 Oct. 2016

First Known Use of homunculus

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for homunculus

Latin, diminutive of homin-, homo human being — more at homage

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More Definitions for homunculus

homunculus

noun
ho·​mun·​cu·​lus | \ hō-ˈməŋ-kyə-ləs How to pronounce homunculus (audio) \
plural homunculi\ -​ˌlī How to pronounce homunculi (audio) , -​ˌlē How to pronounce homunculi (audio) \

Medical Definition of homunculus

: a miniature adult that in the theory of preformation was held to inhabit the germ cell and to produce a mature individual merely by an increase in size

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