cross-fertilization
|cross-fer-til-i-za-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌkrɔsˌfɝtɪləˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌkrɒsˌfɜːtɪlɪˈzeɪʃən/
mixing from different sources
Etymology
'cross-fertilization' is a modern English compound formed from 'cross' + 'fertilization'. 'cross' (Old English 'cros', influenced by Latin 'crux') meant a crossing or intersection, and 'fertilization' comes via French/Latin from Latin 'fertilis' meaning 'fruitful'.
'fertilis' (Latin) → 'fertile' (Old French/Latin influences) → 'fertilize' (Middle English/Modern English) → 'fertilization' (modern English noun); combined with 'cross' (Old English/Christian Latin influence) to form the compound 'cross-fertilization' used in biology and later figuratively.
Originally used primarily for the biological process of mixing gametes from different individuals, the term later broadened (figurative use) to mean the productive exchange or mixing of ideas across fields.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the fertilization or breeding of a plant or animal by pollen or gametes from a different individual or line; cross-breeding.
Cross-fertilization between different cultivars can produce offspring with desirable traits.
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Noun 2
the exchange or mixing of ideas, methods, or influences between different fields, disciplines, or cultures that stimulates innovation or new developments (figurative use).
The cross-fertilization of ideas between engineering and medicine has led to breakthroughs in medical devices.
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Last updated: 2025/10/16 06:52