Germinate

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Germinate

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb

Pronunciation

JUR-mih-nate  /ˈdʒɜːmɪneɪt/

Definition

(Of a seed or spore) to begin to grow and put out shoots after a period of dormancy; to cause a seed to begin to grow; (figuratively) to begin to develop and take hold.

Plain meaning

To germinate means for a seed to start growing — to sprout. Figuratively, an idea germinates when it begins to develop and take hold in someone's mind.

Register

Neutral and standard in botanical and scientific contexts. Slightly literary or formal in the figurative sense — an idea germinating is slightly more elevated than an idea developing.