Noun: cross-fertilization 'krós,fur-tu-lu'zey-shun [N. Amer], 'krós,fur-tu-lI'zey-shun [Brit]
- Fertilization by the union of male and female gametes from different individuals of the same species
"Cross-fertilization in plants can lead to increased genetic diversity";
- cross-fertilisation [Brit]
- Interchange between different cultures or different ways of thinking that is mutually productive and beneficial
"the cross-fertilization of science and the creative arts";
- cross-fertilisation [Brit]
Derived forms: cross-fertilizations
Type of: fecundation, fertilisation [Brit], fertilization, give-and-take, impregnation, interchange, reciprocation
Encyclopedia: Cross-fertilization