Semen
/ˈsiːmən/noun
The fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated from the male reproductive tract.
Did you know?Semen comes from the same ancient root as *seed*, *sow*, and *seminary*, because Latin *semen* originally meant “seed” in the broad, life-giving sense.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sē-
“to sow, plant, scatter seed”
Latin
Latin
semen
“seed; offspring; source or origin”
Late Latin
Latin
seminārius
“of seed; a nursery or place for planting”
Old French
Old French
semen
“seed”
Middle English
English
semen
“seed; later, the male reproductive fluid”
Modern English
English
semen
“the male reproductive fluid containing sperm”
Explore more surprising origins