germinate

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ger·mi·nate / ˈjərməˌnāt/ • v. [intr.] (of a seed or spore) begin to grow and put out shoots after a period of dormancy. ∎  [tr.] cause (a seed or spore) to sprout in such a way. ∎ fig. come into existence and develop: the idea germinated and slowly grew into an obsession.DERIVATIVES: ger·mi·na·ble / -nəbəl/ adj.ger·mi·na·tion / ˌjərməˈnāshən/ n.ger·mi·na·tive / -ˌnātiv/ adj.ger·mi·na·tor / -ˌnātər/ n.

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