The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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spawn

verb

/spɔn/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of spawn

To produce or generate offspring, typically in large numbers.
"The salmon return to their birthplace to spawn and ensure the survival of their species."

Detailed meaning of spawn

It is often associated with the reproductive process of aquatic animals, such as fish, amphibians, or invertebrates, where they release or deposit eggs or larvae into their environment. Metaphorically, "spawn" can also be used to describe the creation or emergence of new ideas, concepts, or events. It implies the origin or beginning of something, where a catalyst or trigger leads to the development or proliferation of various related entities or phenomena. "Spawn" can convey the sense of multiplication, growth, or propagation, suggesting a rapid or abundant production of offspring, ideas, or actions. It captures the notion of a transformative process, initiating a cycle of creation and expansion in both biological and metaphorical contexts.

Example sentences containing spawn

1. The salmon swim upstream to spawn in their natal river.
2. The frogs gather at the pond to spawn during the spring.
3. The fisherman observed the trout spawn in the clear water.
4. The insects spawn in stagnant pools of water.
5. The turtles return to the beach to spawn and lay their eggs.
6. The starfish spawn in the shallow coastal waters.

History and etymology of spawn

The verb 'spawn' has its roots in Old English and Middle English. It can be traced back to the Old English word 'spǣwan,' which meant to bring forth or produce, often in the context of laying eggs. This Old English term evolved into Middle English as 'spawen,' retaining its fundamental meaning of reproduction, especially in reference to aquatic creatures like fish and amphibians, which release large quantities of eggs. Over time, the word 'spawn' has come to encompass the broader concept of prolific reproduction, and it continues to be used in various contexts to describe the propagation of not just aquatic life but also ideas, events, or occurrences that seem to generate or produce numerous related outcomes.

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Further usage examples of spawn

1. The birds build nests in trees to spawn and raise their young.
2. The annual rainfall triggers the desert plants to spawn their vibrant flowers.
3. The algae spawn in the nutrient-rich water of the lake.
4. The jellyfish spawn in large numbers during certain seasons.
5. The oysters spawn in the estuary, attaching their larvae to rocks and shells.
6. The sea urchins spawn in rocky crevices along the seafloor.
7. The frogs emerge from hibernation to spawn in the nearby wetlands.
8. The coral reefs spawn during specific moon phases.
9. The salmon return to their birthplace to spawn and continue the life cycle.
10. The fish spawn in the shallows, creating a spectacle of swirling activity.
11. The insects spawn in the decaying wood, completing their life cycle.
12. The hermit crabs spawn in the warm, shallow waters of the tropics.
13. The eels spawn in the open ocean, far from their freshwater habitats.
14. The salmonella bacteria can spawn in unsanitary conditions, causing foodborne illnesses.