féconder

féconder is a French verb meaning “to fertilize” or “to impregnate.” In biological contexts it refers to the act of delivering sperm to an ovum, leading to conception in animals and humans. In agriculture the term is used for the application of fertilizing agents—whether chemical, organic, or biological—to soil or plants to promote growth. The reflexive form, se féconder, denotes the process of becoming fertilized, often used in discussions of reproductive biology.

Etymology traces the word to the Latin *fecundare*, derived from *fecundus* (“fertile”). The verb entered French in the Middle Ages, initially associated with agricultural practices, and later broadened to encompass animal reproduction and, metaphorically, any process that generates or enriches.

In zoology, féconder applies to both internal and external fertilization. Internal fertilization, common among mammals, birds, and many reptiles, involves direct transfer of sperm into the female reproductive tract. External fertilization, typical of many fish and amphibians, occurs when eggs and sperm are released into the environment; the term can still be used to describe the successful union of gametes.

In horticulture and agronomy, féconder is synonymous with “fertiliser” as a verb (French: fertiliser), describing the act of adding nutrients to improve plant health. Practices include spreading manure, compost, mineral fertilizers, or inoculating legumes with nitrogen‑fixing bacteria.

Related terms include “fécondité” (fertility), “fécond” (fertile), and the English equivalents “to fertilize” and “fertilization.” The verb follows regular –er conjugation patterns: je féconde, tu fécondes, il/elle féconde, nous féconduons, vous fécondez, ils/elles féconduent. The noun “fécondation” denotes the actual process resulting from féconder.