ˈfər]d. ə lˌīz, ˈfə̄], ˈfəi], ]t ə l- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Usage: see -ize
Etymology: probably from French fertilizer, from Middle French, from fertile, adjective + -iser -ize
transitive verb
: to make fertile: as
a.
(1) : to apply compost, manure, or commercial fertilizer to (a growing medium) in order to supply nutriments or make available nutriments already present
fertilize the fishpond with commercial fertilizer to promote plankton growth
(2) : to stimulate, supply, or enrich the development of
the struggles of the war had … fertilized and quickened the thinking and feeling of the region — Van Wyck Brooks
fertilize the country's economy with foreign capital
reading that will fertilize his vocabulary
b.
(1) : to cause or tend to cause fertilization in (as by pollinating or inseminating)
the wind fertilizes many plants
— not used technically
(2) : to participate with (a germ cell of the opposite sex) in fertilization
under certain circumstances spermatozoa from one species may fertilize ova from another
intransitive verb
: to make something fertile ; specifically : to apply fertilizer to soil
who raise grain but do not fertilize