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cross-fertilize

[kraws-fur-tl-ahyz, kros-]
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verb (used with object), cross-fer·ti·lized, cross-fer·ti·liz·ing.

to cause the cross-fertilization of.

verb (used without object), cross-fer·ti·lized, cross-fer·ti·liz·ing.

to undergo cross-fertilization.

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RELATED WORDS

breed, crossbreed, mingle, blend, interbreed, mongrelize, cross-pollinate, cross-mate, intercross

Nearby words

  1. cross-eye,
  2. cross-eyed,
  3. cross-fade,
  4. cross-fertile,
  5. cross-fertilization,
  6. cross-file,
  7. cross-fire,
  8. cross-florida waterway,
  9. cross-garnet,
  10. cross-gartered
Also especially British, cross-fer·ti·lise.

Origin of cross-fertilize

First recorded in 1875–80
Related formscross-fer·ti·liz·a·ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cross-fertilize

British Dictionary definitions for cross-fertilize

cross-fertilize

verb

to subject or be subjected to cross-fertilization
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
Science definitions for cross-fertilize

cross-fertilization

The fertilization that occurs when the nucleus of a male sex cell from one individual joins with the nucleus of a female sex cell from another individual. In plants, cross-pollination is an example of cross-fertilization. Also called allogamy Compare self-fertilization.
Related formscross-fertilize verb
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.