cross-fertilise
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To cause (a plant or animal) to undergo cross-fertilization; to fertilize by the union of gametes from different individuals of the same or different species.
Verb (intransitive):
- (Of a plant or animal) to undergo cross-fertilization; to become fertile through this process.
Usage and Examples
Transitive verb:
- The botanist aimed to cross-fertilise the two rose varieties to create a new hybrid.
- Farmers often cross-fertilise crops to improve yield and disease resistance.
Intransitive verb:
- These plants are designed to cross-fertilise easily with others in the same field.
- For the species to survive, the isolated individuals must cross-fertilise.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- The term is often used in biological and agricultural contexts to describe a specific reproductive process.
- It can be used metaphorically in non-scientific contexts to describe the fruitful exchange of ideas between different fields or groups (e.g., "The conference helped cross-fertilise ideas between engineers and designers"). However, this is an extended metaphorical use of the core biological term.
Variants and Related Words
- Cross-fertilize: The preferred spelling in American English.
- Cross-fertilization (noun): The process or result of cross-fertilising.
- The cross-fertilization of the plants led to a hardier strain.
- Cross-pollinate: A more specific term often used for plants, referring to the transfer of pollen. Cross-fertilise can be a broader term encompassing the result of that transfer.
Synonyms
- Hybridize (especially in transitive use)
- Cross-breed (for animals)
- Interbreed (for closely related species)
Antonyms
- Self-fertilise
- Self-pollinate
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Cross-fertilisation of ideas: A common metaphorical idiom derived from the biological term, meaning the stimulating exchange of concepts between different disciplines or cultures.
- The cross-fertilisation of ideas between the art and science departments sparked incredible innovation.
Verb
-
cause to undergo cross-fertilization
-
Mendel cross-fertilized different kinds of beans
-
-
undergo cross-fertilization; become fertile
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