fertility
UK: fɜːˈtɪləti | US: fɜːrˈtɪləti
n. the quality or state of being fertile; the ability to produce offspring or vegetation abundantly
n. (figuratively) the capacity for abundant growth or productivity (e.g., of ideas, creativity)
The word "fertility" traces back to Latin fertilis (fruitful, productive), derived from ferre (to bear, carry). The suffix -ity (from Latin -itas) transforms adjectives into nouns indicating a state or condition. Over time, "fertility" evolved to encompass both biological reproduction (e.g., soil, animals) and metaphorical productivity (e.g., intellectual endeavors). The morpheme fertil preserves its core meaning of "bearing abundance," while -ity abstracts it into a measurable quality.
The fertility of the soil ensured a bountiful harvest.
Modern medicine has advanced treatments for issues related to human fertility.
The artist’s fertility of imagination amazed her audience.
Ancient civilizations often worshipped deities associated with fertility.
Climate change threatens the fertility of ecosystems worldwide.