Definition of fertilize

"Fertilize" has roots in the Latin word "fertilis," meaning "fruitful" or "productive." It entered English in the 16th century, initially referring to the act of making land fertile for crops. The concept of "fertilizing" expanded to include the process of enabling reproduction in plants and animals. The "fer-" prefix comes from the Latin word "ferre," meaning "to bear" or "to carry," reflecting the idea of producing offspring. The "-ize" suffix denotes "to make" or "to cause to be," emphasizing the transformative nature of fertilization.