Fertility

Pronunciation
/fer-TIL-i-tee/
Category
Reproduction
Singular
Fertility
Plural
Fertilities

Definition

The ability to produce offspring; in insects, specifically the capacity of a female to produce eggs and a male's ability to produce sperm.

Etymology

From Latin *fertilis*, meaning 'fruitful' or 'productive'.

Example

The high fertility rate of the queen bee ensures a large colony.

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