virgin birth
The concept of "virgin birth" appears in both religious contexts and biological phenomena, referring to miraculous or asexual reproduction.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2Christian Theology
(religious, formal)The belief that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to Mary, who had not engaged in sexual intercourse.
Example
- The doctrine of the virgin birth is central to Christian beliefs about Jesus.
C1Biology
(technical, scientific)A form of asexual reproduction where an offspring is produced by a female without male fertilization, also known as parthenogenesis.
Example
- Certain species of lizards can reproduce through virgin birth, a process called parthenogenesis.
B1General
(informal)The birth of a child to a mother who has not engaged in sexual intercourse.
Example
- Stories of virgin births often appear in mythology and folklore.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "virgin birth":