ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
1. in seed plants
a. : fertilization between gametes produced by separate individual plants
b. : fertilization between different kinds of individuals (as species or varieties) resulting in the production of hybrids
2. : cross-pollination — not used technically
3. : the fertilization of the eggs of an animal by spermatozoa of another individual especially in potentially hermaphroditic forms
4. : interchange or interplay (as between different ideas, cultures, or categories) especially of a vitalizing, broadening, or productive nature
the best work in the field of the novel came from the cross-fertilization of realism with the movement of regionalism — R.A.Hall b.1911