parr-thuh-noh-JEN-ih-sis)
(n.) Reproduction resulting from an unfertilized egg--occurring, for example, among certain insects

Literally, "parthenogenesis" means "virgin birth," a compound of the Latin "genesis," meaning "birth" or "generation," and Greek "parthenos," meaning "virgin." (Incidentally, the ancient Greeks often referred to the virgin goddess Athena as Athena Parthenos, which is why the temple built in her honor on the Acropolis is called the "Parthenon.")

"Parthenogenesis" was in the news earlier this year when Danish scientists discovered a completely new freshwater creature. Only 0.1 millimeter long, this microscopic animal is distinguished by a complicated set of jaws. This is only the fourth time in 100 years that anybody has discovered an animal that doesn't fit into any of the previously established animal families:

"Limnognathia maerski, which reproduces through parthenogenesis, uses its jaws to scrape the bacteria and algae it feeds on from underwater moss growing in icy wells which freeze over during the long Arctic winter."--From a wire story about the discovery.