Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊvɪzəm] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "Ovism" is derived from the Latin word "ovum," meaning egg. It is pronounced in English using the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈoʊvɪzəm/. The stress falls on the first syllable, represented by the symbol /ˈoʊ/, which is pronounced like the "o" in the word "goat." The "v" is pronounced like "v" in "van," and the second syllable is pronounced as /ɪzəm/, with the "i" said as in "sit" and "z" as in "zip."
Ovism is a biological theory that suggests that the embryo already contains the complete form of an organism within the egg or ovum, from which it develops. This concept, first proposed by preformationist theories in the 17th and 18th centuries, holds that all the characteristics and organs of an individual are preformed and present in miniature form within the female's egg.
According to the principles of Ovism, the sperm merely acts as a stimulus or activator for the growth and development of the preexisting embryo contained within the ovum. In this view, the male's contribution is limited to the genetic material necessary for the embryo's development.
Ovism contrasts with the alternative theory of animal generation known as animalculism, which suggests that each sperm contains a fully formed organism and that the embryo develops solely from the male's contribution. Ovism and animalculism were at the heart of a scientific debate known as the "spermists versus ovists" controversy during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Today, Ovism is considered an outdated theory in the field of embryology, as scientific advancements and research have shown that the development of an organism is a complex process involving interactions between both genetic materials provided by the male and female. Modern understanding of embryology supports the idea that both parents contribute equally to the development of an individual.
The word "Ovism" originated from the Latin word "ovum", meaning "egg". "Ovism" refers to a controversial theory in embryology that suggests that all organisms originate from preformed eggs. The theory was first proposed by the seventeenth-century Dutch physician and anatomist, Reinier de Graaf. Despite its roots in Latin, "Ovism" primarily developed and gained attention during the European scientific renaissance.
