cross-fertilization
cross-fertilization — noun
1. a process in which ideas, methods, or traditions from different areas or culture
a process in which ideas, methods, or traditions from different areas or cultures are brought together, sparking fresh innovations or richer outcomes
Diya attended a conference where cross-fertilization between artists and engineers led to several award-winning designs.
cross-fertilization between [group A] and [group B]
The cross-fertilization of Japanese and Brazilian cooking created new dishes popular in São Paulo.
Darius believes the cross-fertilization of different academic fields produces the most exciting research.
Mark's best songs came from a cross-fertilization of folk melodies and modern electronic sounds.
The festival encouraged cross-fertilization among writers, painters, and musicians from across the region.
- cross-pollination
nearly the same figurative meaning; slightly more informal and draws directly on the plant metaphor
- interchange
broader term for any back-and-forth exchange; does not imply a creative or improved outcome
- fusion
suggests blending into a single new whole where original elements lose their separate identities
- isolation
keeping ideas or groups apart, preventing any exchange
- stagnation
lack of fresh input or development, the opposite of the productive mixing cross-fertilization brings
文法句型
cross-fertilization + of + [field A] + and + [field B]
cross-fertilization + between + [group A] + and + [group B]
用法筆記
Typically used of abstract domains — ideas, art forms, academic disciplines, or cultural traditions. The subject is almost never a single person; it describes a collective process.
常見錯誤
2. a form of reproduction in which a male sex cell from one organism unites with a
a form of reproduction in which a male sex cell from one organism unites with a female sex cell from a different organism, rather than both cells coming from the same individual
Cross-fertilization in apple trees requires pollen from one orchard to reach the flowers of another.
cross-fertilization in [plant species]
Unlike self-pollinating wheat, maize depends entirely on cross-fertilization between separate plants to produce healthy kernels.
Eleni studied how cross-fertilization in snails increases genetic variety within the population.
The farmer planted two varieties of corn side by side to encourage cross-fertilization.
Releasing both eggs and sperm into the sea, many corals depend on cross-fertilization for reproduction.
- allogamy
technical biology term with the same meaning; rarely used outside scientific writing
- cross-pollination
refers specifically to plants; cross-fertilization also covers animals and other organisms
- outcrossing
used mainly in animal breeding and population genetics
- self-fertilization
fertilization using gametes from the same individual
- self-pollination
the plant-specific equivalent of self-fertilization
文法句型
cross-fertilization + in + [species]
cross-fertilization + between + [individuals]
用法筆記
Distinguish from self-fertilization, where male and female cells come from the same individual. Cross-fertilization increases genetic diversity, which is why many species have evolved to favour it.