seminal
UK: ˈsemɪn(ə)l | US: ˈsemɪn(ə)l
adj. 1. Highly influential in an original way; groundbreaking.
adj. 2. Relating to seed or semen (biological context).
seminal = semin<seed> + al<adjective suffix>
- semin (from Latin semen, meaning "seed")
- al (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, meaning "pertaining to")
Etymology Origin:
The word seminal traces back to the Latin semen (seed), reflecting its dual meaning in both biological reproduction ("relating to seed/semen") and metaphorical influence ("planting the seed of ideas"). Over time, its figurative sense evolved to describe pioneering work that "sows" new concepts in a field. The logic mirrors agricultural imagery—just as seeds generate life, seminal ideas generate intellectual progress.
Darwin's On the Origin of Species is a seminal work in biology.
The artist’s seminal technique inspired generations of painters.
Seminal fluid contains nutrients for sperm survival.
Her research had a seminal impact on modern psychology.
The conference discussed seminal discoveries in renewable energy.