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seminal

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
sem·i·nal  (sm-nl)
adj.
1. Of, relating to, containing, or conveying semen or seed.
2. Of, relating to, or having the power to originate; creative.
3. Highly influential in an original way; constituting or providing a basis for further development: a seminal idea in the creation of a new theory.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin sminlis, from smen, smin-, seed; see semen.]
semi·nal·ly adv.
seminal
Adjective
1. highly original and influential: seminal thinkers
2. potentially capable of development
3. of semen: seminal fluid
4. Biol of seed [Latin semen seed]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.seminal - pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen; "seminal fluid"
2.seminal - containing seeds of later development; "seminal ideas of one discipline can influence the growth of another"
germinal, originative
original - being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of; "a truly original approach"; "with original music"; "an original mind"
seminal
adjective influential, important, ground-breaking, original, creative, productive, innovative, imaginative, formative
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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
Moby Dick LXVIII-CXXXIV by Melville, Herman View in context
The artist himself was at that time busy upon two great designs; the first, to sow land with chaff, wherein he affirmed the true seminal virtue to be contained, as he demonstrated by several experiments, which I was not skilful enough to comprehend.
Gulliver's Travels by Swift, Jonathan View in context
It seems now pretty well established tha plants propagated by buds all partake of a common duratio of life; and it is familiar to every one, what singular an numerous peculiarities are transmitted with certainty, b buds, layers, and grafts, which by seminal propagation neve or only casually reappear
The Voyage of the Beagle by Darwin, Charles View in context
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