after-ripening

[ af-ter-rahy-puh-ning, ahf- ]

noun
  1. biochemical or physical changes that occur in a dormant seed to ensure germination and in fruits after harvesting.

  2. the period during which this occurs.

Origin of after-ripening

1
First recorded in 1840–45

Words Nearby after-ripening

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British Dictionary definitions for after-ripening

after-ripening

noun
  1. botany the period of internal change that is necessary in some apparently mature seeds before germination can occur

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