superregeneration

English

Etymology

From super- +‎ regeneration.

Noun

superregeneration (uncountable)

1. (biology) The regeneration of more tissue than what is removed or damaged, such as in the production of supernumerary digits and amputated limbs within the urodele amphibians.
2. (biology, rare) Extreme, superhuman regeneration.
   • 1894, Tufts College, Tufts University, Tufts College Studies‎^[1], Tufts College, Medford, The College, page 388:

     It seems probable that this is a case of 'superregeneration'. As is well known, the tail of Plethodon is very easily detached. A study of the tissues of this tail gives evidence which, though not unquestionable, leads me to believe that it is relatively younger than the more anterior parts of the body. The experiments of Tornier ('97) and others in producing similar abnormalities by cutting off the tails of salamanders give added probability to this view.

   • 1904, Ross Granville Harrison, William Keith Brooks, Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, American Society of Zoologists, The Journal of Experimental Zoology‎^[2], Wiley-Liss, page 94:

     At the time Bateson’s book was written, however, little or nothing was known regarding the origin of supernumera y appendages in either the arthropods or the vertebrates. Since then a large amount of experimental evidence has accumulated to show that they may be formed by superregeneration, especially by regeneration from complex or irregular wound surfaces.

   • 1905, Charles Scribner’s Sons, The Approach to Philosophy‎^[3], Harvard University Press, page 225:

     Functional disturbances of the brain might give us the explanation here, just as material disturbances may serve to explain superregeneration in spite of all vitalism.

   • 2012 January 29, “You choose a superability and I will find a fault in it”, in reddit.com‎^[4]:

     Superregeneration. Includes eternal youth.

3. (radio) The superregenerative technique.

References

• “superregeneration”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.