fertilize definition

English fertilize definition

Alternative forms

• fertilise (mostly British)

Etymology

From French fertiliser; equivalent to fertile +‎ -ize.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɜː(ɹ)tɪlaɪz/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

fertilize (third-person singular simple present fertilizes, present participle fertilizing, simple past and past participle fertilized)

1. To make (the soil) more fertile by adding nutrients to it.
2. (figuratively) To make more creative or intellectually productive.

   to fertilize one's imagination

   • 2014 August 8, Rupert Christiansen, “The truth about falsettos [print version: 12 August 2014, p. R8]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Review)‎^[1]:

     He [countertenor Anthony Roth Constanzo] also enjoys being the catalyst whereby opera fertilises other art forms: recently, he's collaborated with Japanese kabuki actors, and a project with dancers from New York City Ballet is in the offing.

3. To cause to produce offspring through insemination; to inseminate.

Derived terms

• fertilizer

Translations

Portuguese fertilize definition

Verb

fertilize

1. First-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of fertilizar
2. Third-person singular (ele, ela, also used with tu and você^?) present subjunctive of fertilizar
3. Third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of fertilizar
4. Third-person singular (você) negative imperative of fertilizar