See Also: panspermia(medicine)
panspermia(dictionary)

panspermia (iou)



panspermia noun. M19.
[Greek = doctrine that the elements were a mixture of all the seeds of things, from panspermos containing all kinds of seed, formed as PAN- + sperma SPERM.]
Orig., the theory that the atmosphere is full of minute germs which develop on finding a favourable environment. Now, the idea that micro-organisms or chemical precursors of life are present in outer space and able to initiate life on reaching a suitable environment.
Also panspermism noun (now rare) L19.