animalculism
/ˌanɪˈmalkjʊlɪz(ə)m/Now historical
noun
The theory that the embryo exists as a preformed entity in the spermatozoon (as opposed to in the ovum). Compare animalcule. Opposed to ovism.
- In early use also: †the theory that animalcules are the cause of infectious disease (obsolete rare )..
Origin
Mid 19th century. From animalcule or its etymon post-classical Latin animalculum + -ism, probably after French animalculisme.