Definition of: seed

(sēd) noun
1. The ovule from which a plant may be reproduced; the fertilized ovule containing an embryo.
2. That from which anything springs; source.
3. Offspring; children.
4. The male fertilizing element; semen; milt.
5. Any small seedlike fruit; also, any part of a plant from which it may be propagated, as bulbs, tubers, etc.
6. A young oyster fit for transplanting.
7. Race; generation; birth.
8. The seed–bearing stage; hence, overripeness.
9. U.S. Dial. An animal or animals used for breeding.
—v.t.
1. To sow with seed.
2. To sow (seed).
3. To remove the seeds from: to seed raisins.
4. To strew (moisture–bearing clouds) with crystals, as of dry ice, silver iodide, etc., in order to initiate precipitation.
5. In sports: a To arrange (the drawing for positions in a tournament, etc.) so that the more skilled competitors meet only in the later events. b To rank (a skilled competitor) thus.
—v.i.
6. To sow seed.
7. To grow to maturity and produce or shed seed.
—to go to seed
1. To develop and shed seed.
2. To become shabby, useless, etc. ♦ Homophone: cede. [OE sæd]
—seed′less adjective