2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A fertile mind or imagination is able to produce a lot of good, original ideas. □ …a product of Flynn's fertile imagination.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A situation or environment that is fertile in relation to a particular activity or feeling encourages the activity or feeling. □ …a fertile breeding ground for this kind of violent racism.
4 ADJ A person or animal that is fertile is able to reproduce and have babies or young. □ The operation cannot be reversed to make her fertile again. ● fer|til|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ Doctors will tell you that pregnancy is the only sure test for fertility.
fer|ti|lize /fɜː r t I la I z/ (fertilizes , fertilizing , fertilized ) in BRIT, also use fertilise 1 VERB When an egg from the ovary of a woman or female animal is fertilized , a sperm from the male joins with the egg, causing a baby or young animal to begin forming. A female plant is fertilized when its reproductive parts come into contact with pollen from the male plant. □ [be V -ed + with ] Certain varieties cannot be fertilised with their own pollen. □ [V n] …the normal sperm levels needed to fertilise the female egg. □ [V -ed] Pregnancy begins when the fertilized egg is implanted in the wall of the uterus. [Also V n with n] ● fer|ti|li|za|tion /fɜː r t I la I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ The average length of time from fertilization until birth is about 266 days.
2 VERB To fertilize land means to improve its quality in order to make plants grow well on it, by spreading solid animal waste or a chemical mixture on it. □ [V n] The faeces contain nitrogen and it is that which fertilises the desert soil. □ [V -ed] …chemically fertilized fields.
fer|ti|liz|er /fɜː r t I la I zə r / (fertilizers ) in BRIT, also use fertiliser N‑VAR Fertilizer is a substance such as solid animal waste or a chemical mixture that you spread on the ground in order to make plants grow more successfully. □ …farming without any purchased chemical, fertilizer or pesticide.
fer|vent /fɜː r v ə nt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A fervent person has or shows strong feelings about something, and is very sincere and enthusiastic about it. □ …a fervent admirer of Morisot's work. □ …the fervent hope that matters will be settled promptly. ● fer|vent|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Their claims will be fervently denied.
fer|vour /fɜː r və r / in AM, use fervor N‑UNCOUNT Fervour for something is a very strong feeling for or belief in it. [FORMAL ] □ They were concerned only with their own religious fervour.
fes|ter /fe stə r / (festers , festering , festered )
1 VERB If you say that a situation, problem, or feeling is festering , you disapprove of the fact that it is being allowed to grow more unpleasant or full of anger, because it is not being properly recognized or dealt with. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] Resentments are starting to fester. □ [V -ing] …the festering wounds of rejection.
2 VERB If a wound festers , it becomes infected, making it worse. □ [V ] The wound is festering, and gangrene has set in. □ [V -ing] Many of the children are afflicted by festering sores.
fes|ti|val ◆◆◇ /fe st I v ə l/ (festivals )
1 N‑COUNT A festival is an organized series of events such as musical concerts or drama productions. □ Numerous Umbrian towns hold their own summer festivals of music, theatre, and dance. □ I had just returned from the Cannes Film Festival.
2 N‑COUNT A festival is a day or time of the year when people have a holiday from work and celebrate some special event, often a religious event. □ …the Hindu festival of Diwali.
fes|tive /fe st I v/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is festive is special, colourful, or exciting, especially because of a holiday or celebration. □ The town has a festive holiday atmosphere.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Festive means relating to a holiday or celebration, especially Christmas. □ The factory was due to shut for the festive period.
fe s|tive sea|son N‑SING People sometimes refer to the Christmas period as the festive season .
fes|tiv|ity /fest I v I ti/ (festivities )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Festivity is the celebration of something in a happy way. □ There was a general air of festivity and abandon.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Festivities are events that are organized in order to celebrate something. □ The festivities included a huge display of fireworks.
fes|toon /festuː n/ (festoons , festooning , festooned ) VERB [usu passive] If something is festooned with , for example, lights, balloons, or flowers, large numbers of these things are hung from it or wrapped around it, especially in order to decorate it. □ [be V -ed + with/in ] The temples are festooned with lights.
feta /fe tə/ N‑UNCOUNT Feta is a type of salty white cheese made from goats' or sheep's milk. It is traditionally made in Greece.
fe|tal /fiː t ə l/ → see foetal
fetch /fe tʃ/ (fetches , fetching , fetched )
1 VERB If you fetch something or someone, you go and get them from the place where they are. □ [V n] Sylvia fetched a towel from the bathroom. □ [V n n] Fetch me a glass of water. □ [V n + for ] The caddie ran over to fetch something for him.
2 VERB If something fetches a particular sum of money, it is sold for that amount. □ [V n] The painting is expected to fetch between two and three million pounds.