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seeds
/siːdz/
The primary image is one of latent potential—a small, concentrated package containing everything necessary for a larger, more complex system to emerge. It represents the bridge between a current state and a future manifestation. When used metaphorically, it suggests an origin point that may be invisible or insignificant at first but grows inevitably over time. This is often associated with negative outcomes (e.g., "seeds of discord") or hopeful beginnings (e.g., "seeds of change"). In technical or biological contexts, the word carries a clinical connotation of propagation and reproduction, focusing on the mechanism of continuity rather than the beauty of the plant itself.
💬Casual Conversation
Victoria, we must sow the seeds of disruption today.
I'm just trying to get this budget signed off before we go belly up.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
plant seeds
To put seeds in the ground to grow.
We will plant seeds in the spring.
flower seeds
Seeds that grow into flowering plants.
I bought some colorful flower seeds.
pumpkin seeds
The edible seeds of a pumpkin.
Roasted pumpkin seeds are a great snack.
sunflower seeds
The edible seeds of a sunflower.
Birds love sunflower seeds.
hemp seeds
The seeds of the hemp plant, used as food.
Add hemp seeds to your morning smoothie.
Idioms & Sayings
sow your wild oats
To enjoy yourself by having many different, exciting experiences, especially sexual ones, when you are young.
He went to college to sow his wild oats.
the seeds of something
The origin or cause of a particular situation or feeling.
This event planted the seeds of future conflict.
scatter seeds
To spread ideas or influence widely, often without a specific target.
The missionaries scattered seeds of faith across the land.
Etymology
The word 'seeds' comes from the Old English word 'sǣd', which itself has Germanic roots, related to words in Old Norse ('sað') and Dutch ('zaad'). The Proto-Germanic root is 'sadą-'. This root is also found in other Indo-European languages, such as Latin 'serere' (to sow) and Greek 'sperma' (seed, semen), highlighting a common ancient linguistic origin for the concept of propagation and origin.