Fertility
/fɜːrˈtɪl.ɪ.ti/noun
The ability to conceive and produce offspring.
Did you know?In ancient times, fertility was often linked to divine favor, with rituals performed to invoke the blessings of fertility goddesses for bountiful harvests and progeny.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bher-
“to carry, to bear (children)”
Latin
Latin
fertilis
“bearing fruit, fruitful, or productive”
Late Latin
Late Latin
fertilitas
“fruitfulness, fertility”
Old French
Old French
fertilité
“fruitfulness, productivity”
Middle English
Middle English
fertilite
“fruitfulness or ability to produce offspring”
Modern English
English
fertility
“the state of being fertile, especially in relation to reproduction.”
Explore more surprising origins