seminal Hear it!

seminal Definition

semi·nal (sem′ə nəl)

adjective

  1. of or containing seed or semen
  2. of reproduction seminal power
  3. like seed in being a source or a first stage in development; germinal; originative a seminal book
  4. being the first or earliest of something that is later recognized as having been of primary influence a seminal jazz band
  5. of essential importance; specif.,
    1. basic; central; principal
    2. crucial; critical; pivotal

Etymology: ME < MFr < L seminalis < semen (gen. seminis), a seed

seminal Related Forms
sem′i·nally adverb
seminal Synonyms

seminal

modif.

generative, primary, original, crucial, critical; see also fundamental 1.

seminal Usage Examples

Preposition: in

  • development: The influence of its work on gases and vapors was to prove seminal in the development of inhalation anesthesia.

Modifies a noun

  • vesicle: The pair of seminal vesicles secrete up to 85 % of the total volume of seminal fluid.
  • essay: His seminal essays on the subject, What Is Hypertext?
  • fluid: The gland produces seminal fluid, which is mixed with sperm to make semen.
  • thinker: He reminds us that the seminal thinkers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century were Mahan, Corbett and Richmond, not Laughton.
  • textbook: At the time of his appointment, Professor Jones had just completed his seminal textbook, Design Methods: Seeds of Human Futures.
  • album: The Beatles ' seminal album is the inspiration for the world premiere of THE WHITE ALBUM from 18 March to 8 April.

Modifying Another Word

  • absolutely: Stanislaw Lem, an absolutely seminal sci-fi author, has died at the age of 84.
  • truly: Mirrors: Hands In My Pockets: Press Release Mirrors, a truly seminal band!
  • equally: Now twenty years later and it's back on parole, just like the equally seminal Star Wars - The Special Edition before it.
  • now: It began with the now seminal, " Can you Digit?
  • so: We can hardly take a purely hostile attitudes to someone who has been so seminal and creative.

Used with adjective complement

  • prove: Remember the date, because it could just prove seminal in the history of our football club.
  • become: The Washington Post piece, tho not immediately attracting much attention, may eventually become seminal to the developing controversy over the probable war.