adj.
Pronunciation: ' f ə r-t ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin fertilis, from ferre to carry, bear ― more at BEAR
Date: 15th century
1 a : producing or bearing fruit in great quantities : PRODUCTIVE b : characterized by great resourcefulness of thought or imagination : INVENTIVE <a fertile mind> c obsolete : PLENTIFUL
2 a (1) : capable of sustaining abundant plant growth < fertile soil> (2) : affording abundant possibilities for growth or development <damp bathrooms are fertile ground for fungi ― Consumer Reports > <a fertile area for research> b : capable of growing or developing <a fertile egg> c (1) : capable of producing fruit (2) of an anther : containing pollen (3) : developing spores or spore-bearing organs d : capable of breeding or reproducing
3 : capable of being converted into fissionable material < fertile uranium 238>
– fer · tile · ly \ -t ə l-(l) ē \ adverb
– fer · tile · ness \ -t ə l-n ə s \ noun
synonyms FERTILE , FECUND , FRUITFUL , PROLIFIC mean producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit. FERTILE implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth < fertile soil>; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development <a fertile imagination>. FECUND emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring <a fecund herd>. FRUITFUL adds to FERTILE and FECUND the implication of desirable or useful results < fruitful research>. PROLIFIC stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction <a prolific writer>.