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to germinate

to germinate

10 4.8
To begin to grow from a seed or spore
  • verb
  • /ˈdʒɜːrmɪneɪt/
translation icon : germinar
  • Basil is a small seed, very small in fact, and it produces sort of like a slimy coat when it germinates or sprouts.
  • seeds germinate
  • spores germinate
  • allow seeds to germinate

And so you soak them and then once they start to generate the tail and they germinate, then you can lay them out.

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Examples

  • The seeds are placed in a greenhouse to germinate, and eventually the seedlings are planted in the field.

    Academic text (2003)
  • So you want to put the seeds down and then let them germinate on their own.

  • Another thing that it's used for is actually to germinate small seeds.

  • So our Evergreen tree, it says they will germinate in one to two months.

  • You pick it now, it won't germinate.

  • Basically, sprouts are seeds that you add water and they germinate and sounds very simple.

  • And then what you can do is take a cover, put it over the seeds, and then put the entire container in a nice, warm space to germinate.

  • Growers plant high-quality seed, but only half germinate and survive to harvest.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Two batches are watered and allowed to germinate (radish seeds germinate rapidly).

    Academic text (2003)
  • To grow healthy plants, it's important to let the seeds germinate in a warm environment with adequate moisture.

Synonyms

to sprout
vsto germinate
68 2.0

To begin to grow new shoots or leaves

refers to causing seeds or spores to begin growth rather than later stages
to shoot
vsto germinate
16 2.8

To begin to grow new stems or buds from a plant

is about causing a seed or spore itself to start growth
to bud
vsto germinate
11 1.0

To start to grow as a new shoot on a plant

focuses on causing seeds or spores to start growth rather than later branch formation
to begin to sprout
vsto germinate
1 3.2

To start growing, usually of plants or seeds

is used for causing seeds or spores to begin growth at the first stage
to bourgeon
vsto germinate
9.9

To start to grow quickly, often by forming buds

is about initiating seed or spore growth, not rapid subsequent development
to burgeon forth
vsto germinate
7.8

To begin to grow quickly, often as new shoots or leaves

describes causing seeds or spores to start growth in a general sense

Antonyms

206 2.4

To stop moving or make something stop moving

To be inactive but able to become active again

How Germinated

to emerge
249 3.5
to sprout
68 2.0
to germinate
10 4.8

Surface Forms

germinate infinitive
germinated past
germinated past participle
germinating present participle
germinates third person singular

Morphology

germinate = germ (semi-transparent) = germin + ate

The verb is formed with the suffix '-ate' from the stem germin- meaning 'sprout/seed'; however, modern learners often know 'germ' primarily as a microorganism rather than 'seed/bud', so the morphological link to 'begin to grow' may not be fully obvious.

Etymology

Germinate comes from the Latin verb germinare, which means 'to sprout', and it shares the same root as the English word germ, which once meant a 'seed' or the 'beginning' of something. So, to germinate is to begin to grow, like a seed sending up its first shoot.