GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found one definition

1.       
   Fertile , a. [L. fertilis, fr. ferre to bear, produce: cf. F. fertile. See Bear to support.]
   Producing fruit or vegetation in abundance; fruitful; able to produce abundantly; prolific; fecund; productive; rich; inventive; as, fertile land or fields; a fertile mind or imagination.
   1913 Webster
   Though he in a fertile climate dwell.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   (Bot.) (a) Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; as, fertile flowers. (b) Containing pollen; -- said of anthers.
   1913 Webster
   produced in abundance; plenteous; ample.
   1913 Webster
   Henceforth, my early care . . . 
   Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease
   Of thy full branches.
   Milton.
   Syn. -- Fertile, Fruitful.  Fertile implies the inherent power of production; fruitful, the act. The prairies of the West are fertile by nature, and are turned by cultivation into fruitful fields. The same distinction prevails when these words are used figuratively. A man of fertile genius has by nature great readiness of invention; one whose mind is fruitful has resources of thought and a readiness of application which enable him to think and act effectively.
   1913 Webster