a. [ L. seminalis, fr. semen, seminis, seed, akin to serere to sow: cf. F. seminal. See Sow to scatter seed. ] 1. Pertaining to, containing, or consisting of, seed or semen; as, the seminal fluid. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Contained in seed. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Hence: Holding the first place in a series of developed results or consequents; serving as a source, or first principle; giving rise to related ideas or results; germinal; radical; primary; original; as, seminal principles of generation; seminal virtue; a seminal discovery. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] The idea of God is, beyond all question or comparison, the one great seminal principle. Hare. [ 1913 Webster ] Seminal leaf (Bot.), a seed leaf, or cotyleden. -- Seminal receptacle. (Zool.) Same as Spermatheca. [ 1913 Webster ]
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