fecundate

[ fee-kuhn-deyt, fek-uhn- ]

verb (used with object)

, fe·cun·dat·ed, fe·cun·dat·ing.

1. to make prolific or fruitful.
2. Biology. to impregnate or fertilize.

fecundate

/ fɪˈkʌndətərɪ; ˈfɛk-; -trɪ; ˈfiːkənˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to make fruitful
2. to fertilize; impregnate

Derived Forms

• fecundatory, adjective
• ˈfecunˌdator, noun
• ˌfecunˈdation, noun

Other Words From

• fecun·dation noun
• fecun·dator noun
• fe·cun·da·to·ry [fi-, kuhn, -d, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• prefe·cun·dation noun
• un·fecun·dated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fecundate¹

1625–35; < Latin fēcundātus made fruitful, fertilized (past participle of fēcundāre ). See fecund, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fecundate¹

C17: from Latin fēcundāre to fertilize

Example Sentences

Generation after generation, built only to breed, to consume and fecundate; and finally to be consumed themselves, when their reproductive cycles wither.

From Nature

No. Defy the monsters, prod the phoenix, bury pig­nuts, come forward magical, fecundate freedom, build, levy songs.

From Project Gutenberg

The primitive lineaments of organization may be traced in the egg, even before it is fecundated.

From Project Gutenberg

How is the extremely complex human body with its various physical characteristics built up from the nucleus of a fecundated cell, the ovum?

From Project Gutenberg

Pollen, pol′en, n. the fertilising powder contained in the anthers of flowers: the male or fecundating element in flowers.—v.t. to cover with pollen.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg