epigenesis

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

epigenesis
    n 1: a geological change in the mineral content of rock after
         the rock has formed

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Epigenesis \Ep`i*gen"e*sis\, n. [Pref. epi- + genesis.] (Biol.)
   The theory of generation which holds that the germ is created
   entirely new, not merely expanded, by the procreative power
   of the parents. It is opposed to the theory of {evolution},
   also to {syngenesis}.
   [1913 Webster]