parthenogenetic

The term is a modern scientific compound, directly assembled from Greek elements to describe a specific biological process. The first element, parthenos (virgin), was used in ancient Greek mythology and culture, most famously in the name of the Parthenon, the temple of the virgin goddess Athena. The second element derives from genesis, a fundamental concept in Greek philosophy and science meaning "origin" or "coming into being". Combined in the 19th century, the word parthenogenesis was coined to provide a precise, literal label for "virgin birth" – the biological development of an embryo from an unfertilized egg. The adjective parthenogenetic logically follows, modifying this process to describe organisms or reproduction of this type.

Structure: partheno (virgin) + genetic (relating to origin) - partheno: From Greek parthenos (virgin, maiden). In this compound, it functions as a combining form meaning "virgin". - genetic: From Greek genetikos (relative to birth or origin), from genesis (origin, creation). In this compound, it functions as an adjective-forming suffix meaning "relating to origin or production".