Archebiosis is a term used in biology to describe the theory that life arises only from pre-existing living matter, rejecting the notion of spontaneous generation. There are a few synonyms for this word, including biogenesis, which means the creation of life from existing life, and abiogenesis, which is the opposite of archebiosis and refers to the hypothetical process of life arising from non-living matter. Another synonym is the term vitalism, which is the belief that life is a force that cannot be explained through physical and chemical means alone. Overall, these synonyms all relate to the fundamental nature of life and its origins.