self-pollinate
|self-pol-li-nate|
🇺🇸
/ˌsɛlfˈpɑləˌneɪt/
🇬🇧
/ˌsɛlfˈpɒlɪneɪt/
fertilize itself with own pollen
Etymology
'self-pollinate' is formed from the prefix 'self-' meaning 'by itself' and the verb 'pollinate,' which comes from Latin 'pollen' meaning 'fine flour, dust.'
'pollinate' comes from the Latin word 'pollen,' which became 'pollinatus' in Medieval Latin, and then 'pollinate' in English. The prefix 'self-' was added in modern English to specify the process is done by the plant itself.
Initially, 'pollinate' meant 'to transfer pollen,' but with the addition of 'self-,' it specifically means 'to transfer pollen within the same plant.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
for a plant to fertilize itself with its own pollen, rather than receiving pollen from another plant.
Some flowers can self-pollinate if insects are not available.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/05 11:46