seed

1. The reproductive body of a flowering plant; the mature ovule. SYN: semen (2). 2. In bacteriology, to inoculate a culture medium with microorganisms. [A.S. soed]

* * *

seed 'sēd n, pl seed or seeds

1 a) the fertilized ripened ovule of a flowering plant containing an embryo and capable normally of germination to produce a new plant broadly a propagative plant structure (as a spore or small dry fruit)

b) a propagative animal structure: (1) MILT, SEMEN (2) a small egg (as of an insect) (3) a developmental form of a lower animal see SEED TICK

2) a small usu. glass and gold or platinum capsule used as a container for a radioactive substance (as radium or radon) to be applied usu. interstitially in the treatment of cancer <implantation of radon \seeds for bladder cancer>

seed vi to bear or shed seed vt

1) to furnish with something that causes or stimulates growth or development

2) INOCULATE

3) to supply with nuclei (as of crystallization or condensation)

seed adj

1) selected or used to produce a new crop or stock <\seed virus>

2) left or saved for breeding <a \seed population>

* * *

(sēd) 1. the mature ovule of a flowering plant; called also semen. 2. a small cylindrical shell of gold or other suitable material, used in application of radiation therapy. 3. to inoculate a culture medium with microorganisms.