from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Metagenesis \Met`a*gen"e*sis\, n. [Pref. meta- + genesis.]
1. (Biol.) The change of form which one animal species
undergoes in a series of successively produced
individuals, extending from the one developed from the
ovum to the final perfected individual. Hence, metagenesis
involves the production of sexual individuals by nonsexual
means, either directly or through intervening sexless
generations. Opposed to {monogenesis}. See {Alternate
generation}, under {Generation}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Biol.) Alternation of sexual and asexual or gemmiparous
generations; -- in distinction from {heterogamy}.
[1913 Webster]