fructify

[ fruhk-tuh-fahy, frook-, frook- ]

verb (used without object)

, fruc·ti·fied, fruc·ti·fy·ing.

1. to bear fruit; become fruitful:

   With careful tending the plant will fructify.

verb (used with object)

, fruc·ti·fied, fruc·ti·fy·ing.

1. to make fruitful or productive; fertilize:

   warm spring rains fructifying the earth.

fructify

/ ˈfrʊk-; ˈfrʌktɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to bear or cause to bear fruit
2. to make or become productive or fruitful

Derived Forms

• ˈfructiˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• super·fructi·fied adjective
• un·fructi·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fructify¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English fructifien, from Old French fructifier, from Latin frūctificāre; fructi-, -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of fructify¹

C14: from Old French fructifier , from Late Latin frūctificāre to bear fruit, from Latin frūctus fruit + facere to make, produce

Example Sentences

For amongst the tart sorbs, it befits not the sweet fig to fructify.

From Project Gutenberg

All that produces does so only for a time; 'tis the law here below, for eternity death alone shall fructify.

From Project Gutenberg

His high conception of solidarity was to fructify, within a hundred years, under Philippe-Auguste, the grandson of Sugers master.

From Project Gutenberg

In the spring it recommences vegetation, and emits its branches into the newly-formed organs of its host, there to fructify.

From Project Gutenberg

Did any portion of the capital annually abstracted from the estate return to it, to fructify and increase its value?

From Project Gutenberg