self-fertilization

[ self-fur-tl-uh-zey-shuhn, self- ]

noun
  1. Botany. fertilization of an ovum of a plant by a male gamete from the same flower (opposed to cross-fertilization).

  2. Zoology. fertilization of the ovum of a hermaphroditic animal by a sperm from the same individual, as in some species of tapeworm.

Origin of self-fertilization

1
First recorded in 1855–60

Other words from self-fertilization

  • self-fer·ti·lized, adjective

Words Nearby self-fertilization

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How to use self-fertilization in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for self-fertilization

self-fertilization

noun
  1. fertilization in a plant or animal by the fusion of male and female gametes produced by the same individual: Compare cross-fertilization

Derived forms of self-fertilization

  • self-fertilized, adjective
  • self-fertilizing or self-fertile, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for self-fertilization

self-fertilization

[ sĕlf′fûr′tl-ĭ-zāshən ]


  1. Fertilization that occurs when male and female gametes produced by the same organism unite. Self-fertilization occurs in many protozoans and invertebrate animals. It results from self-pollination in plants. Self-fertilization allows an isolated individual organism to reproduce but restricts the genetic diversity of a community. Compare cross-fertilization.

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