n. [ Pan- + genesis. ] (Biol.) An hypothesis advanced by Darwin in explanation of heredity. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The theory rests on the assumption, that the whole organization, in the sense of every separate atom or unit, reproduces itself, the cells throwing off minute granules called gemmules, which circulate freely throughout the system and multiply by subdivision. These gemmules collect in the reproductive organs and products, or in buds, so that the egg or bud contains gemmules from all parts of the parent or parents, which in development give rise to cells in the offspring similar to those from which they were given off in the parent. The hypothesis also assumes that these gemmules need not in all cases develop into cells, but may lie dormant, and be transmitted from generation to generation without producing a noticeable effect until a case of atavism occurs. This is an ingenious hypothesis, but now known to be wrong. Although now, a hundred years later, we know that all transmitted genetic information (other than that in plasmids) is contained in the genome of a single cell, scientists are still only beginning to understand the development process. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to pangenesis. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. L. pagina; prob. akin to pagere, pangere, to fasten, fix, make, the pages or leaves being fastened together. Cf. Pact, Pageant, Pagination. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. One side of a leaf of a book or manuscript. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such was the book from whose pages she sang. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: A record; a writing; as, the page of history. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Print.) The type set up for printing a page. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Paged p. pr. & vb. n. Paging ] To mark or number the pages of, as a book or manuscript; to furnish with folios. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. It. paggio, LL. pagius, fr. Gr. paidi`on, dim. of pai^s, paido`s, a boy, servant; perh. akin to L. puer. Cf. Pedagogue, Puerile. ] 1. A serving boy; formerly, a youth attending a person of high degree, especially at courts, as a position of honor and education; now commonly, in England, a youth employed for doing errands, waiting on the door, and similar service in households; in the United States, a boy or girl employed to wait upon the members of a legislative body. Prior to 1960 only boys served as pages in the United States Congress [ 1913 Webster ]

He had two pages of honor -- on either hand one. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A boy child. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A contrivance, as a band, pin, snap, or the like, to hold the skirt of a woman's dress from the ground. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Brickmaking) A track along which pallets carrying newly molded bricks are conveyed to the hack. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Zool.) Any one of several species of beautiful South American moths of the genus Urania. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To attend (one) as a page. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To call out a person's name in a public place, so as to deliver a message, as in a hospital, restaurant, etc. [ PJC ]

3. To call a person on a pager. [ PJC ]

v. t. To exhibit in show; to represent; to mimic. [ R. ] “He pageants us.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. pagent, pagen, originally, a movable scaffold or stage, hence, what was exhibited on it, fr. LL. pagina, akin to pangere to fasten; cf. L. pagina page, leaf, slab, compaginare to join together, compages a joining together, structure. See Pact, Page of a book. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A theatrical exhibition; a spectacle. “A pageant truly played.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To see sad pageants of men's miseries. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An elaborate exhibition devised for the entertainmeut of a distinguished personage, or of the public; a show, spectacle, or display. [ 1913 Webster ]

The gaze of fools, and pageant of a day! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

We love the man, the paltry pageant you. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of the nature of a pageant; spectacular. “Pageant pomp.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Scenic shows or spectacles, taken collectively; spectacular quality; splendor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such pageantry be to the people shown. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

The pageantry of festival. J. A. Symonds. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Pomp; parade; show; display; spectacle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A type of hairdo. [ PJC ]

n. The state of being a page. [ 1913 Webster ]