Anlage: 1. In biology, whatever precedes something else. 2. In embryology, a precursor or forerunner or a more mature structure. For example, the stomach anlage. 3. In psychoanalysis, a predisposition to a given trait or personality characteristic.
Borrowed directly from the German for a plan or arrangement, derived from the verb anlegen meaning "to lay on" in the sense of "to prepare or set up." The plural is anlagen. Sometimes anlage is used interchangeably with primordium.
an·la·ge also An·la·ge (än lä g) n. pl. an·la·ges also An·la·ges or an·la·gen also An·la·gen (-g n) 1. Biology The initial clustering of embryonic cells ...
Definition of ANLAGE: the foundation of a subsequent development; especially: primordium. Origin of ANLAGE. German, literally, act of laying on. First Known Use: 1874
also An·la·ge ( än ' lä ' gə ) n. , pl. , -ges , -ges , or -gen , -gen ( -gən ). Biology . The initial clustering of embryonic cells from which a part or an ...
noun, plural -gen , -ges. ( sometimes initial capital letter ) 1. Embryology . an embryonic area capable of forming a structure: the primordium, germ, or bud. 2 ...
anlage /an·lage/ (ahn-lah´gÄ•) (an´lÄj) pl. anla´gen [Ger.] primordium. an·la·ge or An·la·ge (än lä-g) n. pl. an·la·ges or an·la·gen (-g n)