(biology, social sciences, art, philosophy) The physical, cultural, moral, or intellectual development of each individual passes through stages similar to the developmental stages of that individual's species, society, or civilization. Not taken literally since the late 19th century.

(biology) The doctrine that during embryonic development various structures develop that appeared during the evolutionary history of the species

plural of recapitulationist

One who subscribes to the theory of recapitulationism.