2. (Biol.) To render fruitful or prolific; to impregnate; as, in flowers the pollen fecundates the ovum through
the stigma.
Fecundation
(Fec`un*da"tion) n. [Cf. F. fécondation.] (Biol.) The act by which, either in animals or
plants, material prepared by the generative organs the female organism is brought in contact with matter
from the organs of the male, so that a new organism results; impregnation; fertilization.
Fecundify
(Fe*cun"di*fy) v. t. [Fecund + -fy.] To make fruitful; to fecundate. Johnson.
Fecundity
(Fe*cun"di*ty) n. [L. fecunditas: cf. F. fécondité. See Fecund.]
1. The quality or power of producing fruit; fruitfulness; especially (Biol.), the quality in female organisms
of reproducing rapidly and in great numbers.
2. The power of germinating; as in seeds.
3. The power of bringing forth in abundance; fertility; richness of invention; as, the fecundity of God's
creative power. Bentley.
Fed
(Fed) imp. & p. p. of Feed.
Fedary
(Fed"a*ry) n. A feodary. [Obs.] Shak.
Federal
(Fed"er*al) a. [L. foedus league, treaty, compact; akin to fides faith: cf. F. fédéral. see Faith.]
1. Pertaining to a league or treaty; derived from an agreement or covenant between parties, especially
between nations; constituted by a compact between parties, usually governments or their representatives.
The Romans compelled them, contrary to all federal right, . . . to part with Sardinia.
Grew. 2. Specifically: (a) Composed of states or districts which retain only a subordinate and limited sovereignty,
as the Union of the United States, or the Sonderbund of Switzerland. (b) Consisting or pertaining to
such a government; as, the Federal Constitution; a Federal officer. (c) Friendly or devoted to such a
government; as, the Federal party. see Federalist.
Federal Congress. See under Congress.
Federal
(Fed"er*al), n. See Federalist.
Federalism
(Fed"er*al*ism) n. [Cf. F. fédéralisme.] The principles of Federalists or of federal union.
Federalist
(Fed"er*al*ist), n. [Cf. F. fédéraliste.] An advocate of confederation; specifically (Amer. Hist.),
a friend of the Constitution of the United States at its formation and adoption; a member of the political
party which favored the administration of president Washington.
Federalize
(Fed"er*al*ize) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Federalized ; p. pr. & vb. n. Federalizing ] [Cf. F.
fédéraliser.] To unite in compact, as different States; to confederate for political purposes; to unite by or
under the Federal Constitution. Barlow.
Federary
(Fed"er*a*ry) n. [See Federal.] A partner; a confederate; an accomplice. [Obs.] hak.
Federate
(Fed"er*ate) a. [L. foederatus, p. p. of foederare to establish by treaty or league, fr. foedus.
See Federal.] United by compact, as sovereignties, states, or nations; joined in confederacy; leagued; confederate; as,
federate nations.
Federation
(Fed`er*a"tion) n. [Cf. F. fédération.]
