cross-fertilize

[ kraws-fur-tl-ahyz, kros- ]
See synonyms for cross-fertilize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),cross-fer·ti·lized, cross-fer·ti·liz·ing.
  1. to cause the cross-fertilization of.

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

Origin of cross-fertilize

1
First recorded in 1875–80
  • Also especially British, cross-fer·ti·lise .

Other words from cross-fertilize

  • cross-fer·ti·liz·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use cross-fertilize in a sentence

  • The insects begin to visit them, for their pollen or juices, and cross-fertilise them.

    The Story of Evolution | Joseph McCabe

British Dictionary definitions for cross-fertilize

cross-fertilize

verb
  1. 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