# catagenesis

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. The cracking process in which organic kerogens are broken down into hydrocarbons.
2. Retrogressive evolution, as contrasted with anagenesis.

## Etymology
From cata- + -genesis.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/catagenesis