autopollinate
|au-to-pol-li-nate|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːtoʊˈpɑːlɪneɪt/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːtəʊˈpɒlɪneɪt/
self-pollinate (self-fertilize)
Etymology
'autopollinate' originates from combining Greek-derived prefix 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos') meaning 'self' and the English verb 'pollinate', which in turn comes from Latin 'pollen' meaning 'fine dust (pollen)'.
'pollinate' comes from Latin 'pollinare' / 'pollinatus' (to apply pollen), entering scientific/modern English usage via New Latin; 'autopollinate' was formed in modern English by prefixing 'auto-' to 'pollinate' to specify 'self-' action.
Initially related broadly to the application of pollen ('to apply pollen'), the combined modern term specifically denotes pollination using pollen from the same plant or flower ('self-pollination').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or act of self-pollination; pollination that occurs using pollen from the same plant or flower (noun form of 'autopollinate').
Autopollination is common in some crops and can ensure seed set even when pollinators are absent.
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Verb 1
to pollinate (a flower or plant) with pollen from the same plant or from the same flower; to self-pollinate.
Many greenhouse tomatoes can autopollinate, so they do not always need insect pollinators.
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Adjective 1
describing something that has been pollinated by its own pollen; having undergone autopollination ('autopollinated' as an adjective form).
The autopollinated flowers produced viable seeds.
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Last updated: 2025/08/27 17:01