fertilization

2 definitions found

fertilization - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Fertilization \Fer`ti*li*za"tion\, n.
     1. The act or process of rendering fertile.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Biol.) The act of fecundating or impregnating animal or
        vegetable germs; esp., the process by which in flowers the
        pollen renders the ovule fertile, or an analogous process
        in flowerless plants; fecundation; impregnation.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Close fertilization (Bot.), the fertilization of pistils by
        pollen derived from the stamens of the same blossom.
  
     Cross fertilization, fertilization by pollen from some
        other blossom. See under Cross, a.
        [1913 Webster]

fertilization - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  fertilization
      n 1: creation by the physical union of male and female gametes;
           of sperm and ova in an animal or pollen and ovule in a
           plant [syn: fertilization, fertilisation,
           fecundation, impregnation]
      2: making fertile as by applying fertilizer or manure [syn:
         fertilization, fertilisation, fecundation, dressing]