\Fer"tile\ (? or ?; 277), a. [L. fertilis, fr. ferr? to
bear, produce: cf. F. fertile. See {Bear} to support.]
1. Producing fruit or vegetation in abundance; fruitful; able
   to produce abundantly; prolific; fecund; productive; rich;
   inventive; as, fertile land or fields; a fertile mind or
   imagination.
         Though he in a fertile climate dwell. --Shak.
2. (Bot.)
   (a) Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; as, fertile
       flowers.
   (b) Containing pollen; -- said of anthers.
3. produced in abundance; plenteous; ample.
         Henceforth, my early care . . . Shall tend thee, and
         the fertile burden ease Of thy full branches.
                                               --Milton.
Syn: {Fertile}, {Fruitful}.
Usage: Fertile implies the inherent power of production;
       fruitful, the act. The prairies of the West are
       fertile by nature, and are turned by cultivation into
       fruitful fields. The same distinction prevails when
       these words are used figuratively. A man of fertile
       genius has by nature great readiness of invention; one
       whose mind is fruitful has resources of thought and a
       readiness of application which enable him to think and
       act effectively.