fertility 
The quickness of the imagination is seen in the inven- 
tion, the fertility in the fancy, and the accuracy in the ex- 
pression. Dryden, To Sir R. Howard. 
We cannot regard without admiration the amplitude 
and fertility of his intellect, his rare talents for command, 
for administration, and for controversy. 
Macaulay, Warren Hastings. 
fertilizable (fer'ti-11-za-bl), a. [< fertilize + 
-able.] 1. Capable of being fertilized or made 
productive, as land. 2. Susceptible of fecun- 
dation or impregnation, as the ovules of plants, 
or as perfect female insects or their eggs. 
The neuters of Polistes gallica are distinguished from 
the perfect fertilizable females. 
Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 384. 
Mr. Darwin's inquiries have shown how generally the 
fertilization of plants is due to the agency of insects ; and 
how certain plants, being fertilizable only by insects of a 
certain structure, are limited to regions inhabited by in- 
sects of this structure. //. Spencer, Prin. of Biol., 105. 
Also spelled fertilisable. 
fertilization (f'er // ti-li-za'shon), n. [=F./er- 
1. The act or process of rendering land fertile, 
fruitful, or productive. 
The Egyptians depend entirely upon their river for the 
fertilization of the soil. 
E. W. Lane, Modern Egyptians, I. 2. 
2. Fecundation or impregnation of animals 
or plants; specifically, in bot., the process by 
which the pollen reaches and acts upon the 
ovules, and assures the production of fruit; 
also, the analogous process in cryptogams. 
Fertilization, as ordinarily understood, only differs in 
the two conjugating bodies being unlike that is, in their 
having undergone differentiation into antherozoid and 
oospore, the male and female bodies respectively. 
Encyc. Brit., III. 599. 
Also spelled fertilisation. 
Close fertilization. See dose*. 
fertilization-tube (fer"ti-li-za'shon-tub), n. In 
fungi of the family Peronosporece, the beak-like 
tube which is put out by the antheridium and 
penetrates into the oogonium, conveying the 
protoplasm of the antheridium to the odsphere. 
fertilize (fer'ti-liz), v. *. ; pret. and pp. fertilized, 
ppr. fertilising. [= F. fertiliser = Sp. Pg. fer- 
tilizar = It. fertilizzare ; as fertile + -ize.] 1. 
To make fertile; enrich, as soil; make fruitful 
or productive, in general ; fecundate : as, to/er- 
tilize land, the imagination, etc. 
A translator of rare competence, Mr. Hastie is also so 
indefatigable as apparently to have determined not to rest 
till he lias turned the fertilising stream of German thought 
upon every field of philosophical inquiry which his coun- 
trymen have been cultivating with modest means and 
but moderate success. Mind, XIII. 130. 
2. In uiol., to render capable of development 
by the introduction of the male germ-element; 
impregnate. 
Here and there great bunches of flowers hang down, 
breaking out abruptly from the steins of tall palms for 
the benefit of the fertilising visits of the large lustrous 
butterflies. Mivurt, Nature and Thought, p. 3. 
The vi OTA fertilize is employed as equivalent to impreg- 
nate [in bee-keeping]. PAiit, Diet. Apiculture, Int., p. x. 
Also spelled fertilise. 
fertilizer (f&r'ti-ll-zer), n. One who or that 
which fertilizes ; specifically, a manure, whe- 
ther organic or inorganic : as, guano is a power- 
ful fertilizer. Also spelled fertiliser. 
fertilyt, adv. Fertilely. Sir P. Sidney. 
ferula (fer'o-la), .; pi. ferula; (-le). [L., a rod, 
staff, walking-stick, a slender branch, the plant 
giant fennel: see ferule 1 ."] If. A rod; a ferule. 
2. A leading-staff, baton of command or au- 
thority, scepter, or the like, especially the scep- 
ter of some ancient and Eastern dominions, as 
that of the Byzantine empire, Hungary, etc. 
3. [cap.] [NL.] In ooi., an umbelliferous genus 
of about 60 species, chiefly of the Mediterranean 
region and central Asia, and very nearly allied 
to Peucedanum. They are generally tall, coarse plants 
with dissected leaves, and many of the Asiatic species 
yield strongly scented gum resins, used in medicine. F. 
Narthex, F. Scorodosma, and F. alliacea yield the gum 
asafetida. Gum galbanum is the product of F. galbani- 
fiua, F. rubricaulix, and F. Schair. F. Sumbul furnishes 
the surnbul or muskroot of commerce. F. communis, the 
giant fennel of Europe, and some other species, are occa- 
sionally cultivated as ornamental foliage-plants. There 
are four or five species in the United States, on the Pacific 
coast, which are referred to this genus. Most of them 
have large resinous roots. 
ferulaceous (fer-o-la'shius), a. [< L. ferula- 
ceus, made of or resembling giant fennel (or to 
a cane), < ferula, a rod, cane, giant fennel, etc. : 
see ferule'-.'] Pertaining to reeds or canes ; hav- 
ing a stalk like a reed: as, ferulaceous plants. 
ferulae, . Plural of ferula. 
ferulart (fer'o-lar), . [As if < LL. ferularis, 
adj., of or belonging to giant fennel, but equiv. 
to and prob. intended for L. ferula, a rod, fer- 
ule: see ferula.] A ferule. 
2188 
We have only scapt theferular to come under the fescu 
of an Imprimatur. Milton, Areopagitica (ed. Arber), p. 58. 
Fists and ferulars, rods and scourges, have been the 
usual dainties in schools. 
Hartlib, Reformation of Schools, p. 13. 
ferule 1 (fer'ol or -il), n. [Formerly also ferrule; 
= F. ferule = Sp. Pg. It. ferula = D&n.ferle = 
Sw./e-/a, < L. ferula, a rod, whip, walking-stick, 
cane, a slender branch, the plant giant fennel, 
< ferire, strike.] If. A reed; a cane. 
Yf we have the brere 
Or ferule, after harvest whenne oon with 
The nyght is day, lette cutte hem of right nere 
The grounde. 
Palladius, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 111. 
2. A cane, rod, or flat piece of wood, as a ruler, 
used for the punishment of children in schools 
by striking some part of the body, particularly 
the palm of the hand. 
As boys that slink 
From ferule and the trespass-chiding eye, 
Away we stole. Tennyson, Princess, v. 
ferule 1 (fer'ijl or -il), v. t. ; pret. and pp. feruled, 
ppr. feruling. [< ferule^, n.] To punish with 
a ferule. 
I shoulde tel tales out of the schoole, and bee femiled 
for my faults or hyssed at for a blab, yf I layde al the or- 
ders open before your eyes. 
Gosson, Schoole of Abuse, p. 24. 
ferule 2 , n. See ferrule?. 
fervencet (fer'vens), n. [< OF. fervence = Pg. 
fervent; a, fervencia : see fervency. ] Heat; fer- 
vency. 
The sun himself, when he darts rayes lascivious, 
Such as ingender by too piercing/ereence. 
Chapman, Revenge for Honour. 
fervency (fer'ven-si), n. ; pi. fervencies (-siz). 
[= It.fervenza, <?L. as if "fenentia, < ferven(t-)s, 
ppr. ol fervere: see fervent.] 1. The state of 
being fervent or hot; burning or glowing 
warmth: as, the fervency of the sun's rays. 2. 
Warmth of feeling; ardor; fervor; animated 
zeal. 
When they meet with such collusion, they cannot be 
blam'd though they bee transported with the zeale of truth 
to a well heated fervencie. 
Milton, On Def. of Humb. Reuionst., Pref. 
The fervencies of a Hebrew prophet. 
Lowell, Among my Books, 2d ser., p. 273. 
fervent (fer'vent), a. [< ME. fervent, < OF. 
fervent, fervaiit, F. fervent = Pr. fervent, fer- 
ven = Sp. fervieute = Pg. It. fervente, < L. fer- 
ven(t-)s, ppr. of fervere, boil, ferment, glow, 
rage. Hence also (from L. fervere) E. fervid, 
fervor, ferment.] 1. Hot; burning; glowing: 
as, a, fervent summer; fervent rays. 
Northwarde of fervent grouude. southward of colde, 
And enter both of hilly lande thai wolde. 
Pollodiui, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 77. 
The elements shall melt with/erce heat. 2 Pet. iii. 10. 
2. Ardent; warmly earnest; animated; eager; 
vehement: as, fervent zeal; fervent piety. 
The effectual/eryen( prayer of a righteous man availeth 
much. Jas. v. 16. 
A union forni'd, as mine with thee, . . . 
May be as fervent in degree . . . 
As that of true fraternal love. 
Cowper, To the Rev. Mr. Unwin. 
Mr. Moore confesses that his friend was no very/crwn< 
admirer of Shakspeare. Mocaulay, Moore's Byron. 
= Syn. 2. Eager, zealous, fervid, impassioned. 
fervently (fer'vent-li), adv. 1. Burningly; fer- 
vidly. 
It continued so fervently hot that men roasted eggs in 
the sand. Hakewill, Apology, p. 116. 
2. With warmth of feeling ; with earnest zeal ; 
ardently; eagerly; vehemently. 
Epaphras . . . saluteth you, always labouring/eroen^y 
for you in prayers. Col. iv. 12. 
He, praying to the goddess fervently, 
Felt her good help. 
William Morris, Earthly Paradise, I. 167. 
ferventness (fer'vent-nes), n. Fervency; ar- 
dor; zeal; fervor." [Rare.] 
Come vnto me with fayth and aske in the feruentnetse 
of soule. 
Bp. Bale, Image of the Two Churches, i., sig. G, 3. 
fervescent (fer-ves'ent), a. [= Pg. fervescente, 
< L. fervescen( t-)g, ppr. offervescere, begin to boil 
or glow, grow hot, inceptive of fervere, boil : see 
fervent. Cf. effervescent.] Growing hot. 
fervid (fer'vid), a. [= Sp. Pg. It, fervido, < L. 
fervidus, glowing, hot, burning, fiery, vehement, 
< fervere, boil, glow: see fervent.] 1. Burn- 
ing; glowing; hot: as, fervid heat; the fervid 
sands. 
The mounted sun 
Shot down direct MB fervid rays. 
Milton, P. L, v. 301. 
A flower of the tropics, such as appeared to have sprung 
passionately out of the soil, the very weeds of which would 
be fervid and spicy. Haicthome , Blithedale Romance, vi. 
fescue 
I cannot sleep ! My fervid brain 
Calls up the vanished Past again. 
Longfellow, Golden Legend, i. 
2. Vehement; eager; impassioned: as, fervid 
zeal; a fervid glance. 
Ah me ! the sweet infus'd desires, 
The fervid wishes, holy fires, 
Which thus a melted heart refine, 
Such are his, and such be mine. 
Parnell, Happy Man. 
Every inch of ground was defended by the same ferriil 
valor by which it had originally been won. 
Ticknor, Span. Lit., I. 7. 
Miss Rossetti ... is a poet of a profound and serious 
cast, whose lips part with the breathing of a fervid spirit 
within. Stedinan, Viet. PoeU, p. 281. 
=Syn. Fiery, glowing. 
fervidity (fer-vid'i-ti), n. [< fervid + -ity.] 
Heat; fervency. Johnson. 
fervidly (f er' vid-li), adv. Hotly ; with glowing 
warmth, 
fervidness (fer' vid-nes), n. Warmth of feeling ; 
fervor; zeal. 
For though the person [Malchus] was wholly unworthy 
of so gracious a cure, yet, in the account of the meek Lamb 
of God, It was a kind of injury done to him by the fermdnesi 
of St. Peter, who knew not yet what spirit he was of. 
Bentley, Sermons, vi. 
fervor, fervour (fer'vor), . [< ME. fervor, 
fervour, < OF. fervor, fervour, F. ferveur = Pr. 
Sp. Pg. fervor = It. fervore, < L. fervor (fer- 
vor-), a boiling or raging heat, heat, vehemence, 
passion, <fertere, boil, be hot: see fervent."] 1. 
Heat or warmth. 
When his brain once feels 
The stirring fervour of the wine ascend. 
B. Jonson, Poetaster, v. 1. 
The earth then burnt with the violent fervour, never 
refreshed with rain. Sandys, Travailes, p. 75. 
Like bright Aurora, whose refulgent ray 
Foretells the fervour of ensuing day. Waller. 
2. Warmth of feeling; ardor; impassioned 
earnestness : as, the fervor of enthusiasm. 
This fernmr of holy desire. Cowper, Simple Trust. 
No artificial fervors of phrase can make the charm work 
backward, to kindle the mind of writer or reader. 
Lowell, Study Windows, p. 212. 
fesapo (fe-sa'po), n. The mnemonic name of 
a mood of syllogism originally called fapes- 
mo (which see). The name was successively 
changed to fempasmo, fesmapo, and fesapo. See 
wood 2 . 
fesauntt, . An obsolete form of pheasant. 
Chaucer. 
Fescennine (f es'e-nin), a. and n. [< L. Fescenni- 
nus, pertainingto Fescennia (pi. Fescennini, Fes- 
cennina, so. versus, carmina, Fescenuine verses), 
< Fescennia, also Fescennium, a city in Etruria.j 
I. a. Pertaining to or characteristic of ancient 
Fescennia in Italy: specifically applied to a class 
of verses. See phrase below. 
A merry oration in the Fescennine manner, interspersed 
with secret history, raillery, and sarcasm. 
Amhurst, Terra; Filius, 1721. 
Satire, in its origin I mean in the rudefetcennine farce, 
from which the idea of this poem was taken was a mere 
extemporaneous jumble of mirth and ill-nature. 
Bp. Hurd, On Epistolary Writings. 
At this hour [evening] the seat was as in a theatre, but 
the words of the actors were of a nature somewhat too Fes- 
cennine for the public. R. F. Burton, El-Medinah, p. 457. 
Fescennine verses, gay, licentious, or scurrilous verses 
of a personal character, extemporized by performers at 
merry-meetings, to amuse the audience : a style which 
originated at Fescennia, an Etruscan city, and became 
popular at Rome. 
II. n. A song of licentious or scurrilous char- 
acter, popular in ancient Italy, 
fescue (fes'ku), n. [Formerly also fescu, fes- 
kue; a corruption offestue, q. v.] If. A straw, 
wire, pin, or slender stick used to point out the 
letters to children when learning to read. See 
first extract under ferular. 
Ay, do but put 
A fescue in her fist, and you shall see her 
Take a new lesson out, and be a good wench. 
Fletcher (and another), Two Noble Kinsmen, ii. 2. 
In the good old days of fescues, abisselfas, and amper- 
sants, terms which used to be familiar in this country dur- 
ing the Revolutionary war, and which lingered in some 
of our country schools for a few years afterward. 
Georgia Scenes, p. 73. 
2f. A plectrum with which a lyre or dulcimer 
is played. 
With thy golden fescue playedst upon 
Thy hollow harp. 
Chapman, Homeric Hymn to Apollo. 
3f. The style or straight rod by which the 
shadow is cast in sun-dials of certain forms, as 
in those set upon upright walls. See sun-dial. 
The fescue of the dial is upon the Christ-cross of noon. 
.Viddlelon (?), Puritan, iv. 2. 
