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germinate

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The definition of germinate is to start to grow, develop or sprout.

(verb)

When a plant first begins to sprout buds, this is an example of a time when it germinates.
When an idea comes up and then starts to be developed and grow, this is an example of a time when the idea germinates.

See germinate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb, transitive verb germinated, germinating

to sprout or cause to sprout, as from a spore, seed, or bud
to start developing or growing

Origin: < L germinatus, pp. of germinare, to sprout < germen, a sprout, germ

Related Forms:

germination noun
germinative adjective

See germinate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb ger·mi·nat·ed, ger·mi·nat·ing, ger·mi·nates

verb, transitive

To cause to sprout or grow.

verb, intransitive

To begin to sprout or grow.
To come into existence: An idea germinated in his mind.

Origin:

Origin: Latin germināre, germināt-, to sprout

Origin: , from germen, germin-, sprout, bud; see genə- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

gerˌmi·naˈtion noun

gerˈmi·naˌtive adjective

gerˈmi·naˌtor noun

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germinate

germination of a bean seed

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