cross-fertilization
[kraws-fur-tl-uh-zey-shuh n, kros-]
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noun
Biology. the fertilization of an organism by the fusion of an egg from one individual with a sperm or male gamete from a different individual.
Botany. fertilization of the flower of one plant by a gamete from the flower of a closely related plant (opposed to self-fertilization).
(not in technical use) cross-pollination.
interaction or interchange, as between two or more cultures, fields of activity or knowledge, or the like, that is mutually beneficial and productive: a cross-fertilization of scientific and technical disciplines.
Origin of cross-fertilization
First recorded in 1875–80
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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Contemporary Examples of cross-fertilization
Historical Examples of cross-fertilization
Knight, Andrew:—On the divination of flowers, 108;theory of cross-fertilization, 115.
My Studio NeighborsWilliam Hamilton Gibson
Let us consider the flower simply as a device to insure its own cross-fertilization.
My Studio NeighborsWilliam Hamilton Gibson
The mechanism of their cross-fertilization is the same in all, with only slight modifications.
My Studio NeighborsWilliam Hamilton Gibson
Cross-fertilization is necessary to some plants and beneficial to all.
Cross-fertilization is the advantage the tree gains for all it gives.
Trees Worth KnowingJulia Ellen Rogers
cross-fertilization
noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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cross-fertilization
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
cross-fertilization
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.