seminal
seminal
Definition
semi·nal (sem′ə nəl)
adjective
- of or containing seed or semen
- of reproduction seminal power
- like seed in being a source or a first stage in development; germinal; originative a seminal book
- being the first or earliest of something that is later recognized as having been of primary influence a seminal jazz band
- of essential importance; specif.,
- basic; central; principal
- crucial; critical; pivotal
Etymology: ME < MFr < L seminalis < semen (gen. seminis), a seed
sem′i·nally adverb
seminal
Synonyms
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
Browse dictionary entries near seminal
- semimonthly
- semiminor axis
- semimajor axis
- semilunar valve
- semilunar
- semillon
- semiliterate
- semiliquid
- semilegendary
- semihard
- seminar
- seminarian
- seminary
- semination
- seminiferous
- Seminole
- seminoma
- semiofficial
- semiology
- semiotics
