Fertilitate

/fɜːˈtɪl.ɪ.teɪt/ verb

Definition

To make fertile or to fertilize; a rare or archaic form meaning to increase fertility or fruitfulness.

Etymology

From Latin fertilitas (fertility) + -ate (verb-forming suffix). This is an archaic or obsolete verb form, largely replaced by the more common 'fertilise' or 'fertilize.'

Kelly Says

This forgotten word shows how English once had multiple ways to say the same thing—'fertilitate,' 'fertilise,' and even 'fructify' all competed, but only 'fertilise' survived in common usage.

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