Phys. [a. Gr. σῶμα body.] The body of an organism in contrast to the germ-cells. Also attrib. in soma-plasm.
1889. trans. Weismann’s Ess. Heredity, etc. 122. It is necessary to distinguish between … the body in its narrower sense (soma) and the germ-cells. Ibid., 154. The perishable and vulnerable nature of the soma.
1902. Encycl. Brit., XXIX. 259/2. With Weismann, we suppose the germ-plasm to be different in kind from the general soma-plasm.
1904. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 15 Oct., 966. If the mother be addicted to drink, additional damage may be done to the soma during intra-uterine life.
