procreation
procreation
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "procreation" is:
/ˌpɹəʊˈkɹiˈeɪt/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
pro (ˌpɹəʊ)
/ˌ/: alveolar flap (short tapping sound with the tongue against the alveolar ridge)
/pɹ/ : voiceless bilabial fricative (combination of p and r sounds)
/əʊ/: near-close back rounded vowel (similar to "u" in "but")
cre (ˈkɹi)
/ˈ/: primary stress on the syllable
/kɹ/: voiceless velar fricative (similar to "k" but with the back of the tongue touching the velum)
/i/: close front unrounded vowel (like "ee" in "feet")
ation (ˈeɪt)
/ˈ/: secondary stress on the syllable
/eɪ/: diphthong sound (combination of "e" in "bet" and "i" in "bit")
/t/: voiceless alveolar plosive (like "t" in "stop")
Word Form Variations
"Procreation" is primarily a noun, but it has some related word forms:
Singular:
procreation (noun) - the act or process of reproducing offspring
Plural:
(no direct plural form) - "procreation" itself functions as both singular and plural.
Verb:
procreates (present tense, 3rd person singular) - He/She/It procreates.
procreating (present participle) - They are procreating.
procreated (past tense & past participle) - The dinosaurs procreated millions of years ago.
Adjective:
procreative (descriptive of something related to procreation) - The purpose of these organs is procreative.
procreant (less common, also means procreative) - They discussed procreant rights.
Noun:
procreator (the one who procreates) - The lion is the procreator of the cubs. (less common)
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: The biological process by which living organisms create offspring. (This is the most common definition.)
Synonyms: reproduction, breeding, propagation
Antonyms: (concepts, not direct antonyms) sterility, infertility
Verb:
Definition: To reproduce offspring sexually.
Synonyms: breed, reproduce
Antonyms: (concepts, not direct antonyms) be sterile, be infertile
Adjective:
Definition: 1. Of or relating to the process of procreation. 2. Intended for the purpose of procreation.
Synonyms: reproductive, breeding
Antonyms: (concept for definition 1) non-reproductive, asexual; (concept for definition 2) non-procreative, recreational (referring to sex)
Note:
Adverb and other less common forms (like procreator) are not typically used for "procreation."
Examples of Use
1. Book:
"The primary function of these organs is the procreation of the species." (Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species)
2. Newspaper:
"Scientists are studying the impact of climate change on animal procreation rates." (The New York Times)
3. Online Publication:
"Many bird species engage in elaborate courtship rituals before procreating." (National Geographic)
4. Entertainment Medium (Movie):
Dialogue: "Their entire society is focused on procreation and expansion." (Scene from a fictional movie about aliens)
5. Entertainment Medium (Documentary):
Narrator: "The asexually reproducing bacteria rapidly increased in number, demonstrating an alternative method to procreation." (Nature documentary)
6. Public Discourse:
"The ethical implications of human procreation using artificial intelligence are a growing concern." (Bioethics conference discussion)
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Procreation
Due to the historical and cultural emphasis placed on procreation, there aren't many direct quotes from famous figures using the specific word "procreation." However, here are ten quotes that touch on related ideas:
"The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." (Albert Schweitzer) - This quote highlights the human desire to leave a lasting impact, which can be linked to procreation.
"Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life." (Sophocles) - This quote emphasises the emotional connection between parent and child, a product of procreation.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." (Eleanor Roosevelt) - This quote highlights the concept of legacy and passing on dreams, which can be linked to procreation.
"One's children are the monuments one leaves behind." (Mencius) - This quote directly connects procreation with leaving a lasting mark on the world.
"The only true wealth is life." (Voltaire) - This quote emphasises the continuation of life, a key aspect of procreation.
"What a terrible thing to say, 'I wish I had not been born!' It is like saying, 'I wish my father and mother had never met!'" (Emile Zola) - This quote highlights the value of existence, which can be linked to procreation.
"Of all the creatures that breathe and crawl, the sole care of man is not to thrive but to prevail." (W.H. Auden) - This quote, though not about procreation directly, reflects a drive for survival and continuation of the species.
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) - This quote highlights leaving a positive mark, which can be linked to the impact of procreation.
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." (John F. Kennedy) - This quote, in a broader sense, reflects the idea of contributing to something larger than oneself, which can be linked to procreation.
"The earth has enough for everyone's need, but not for everyone's greed." (Mahatma Gandhi) - This quote, though not directly related to procreation, touches on the concept of resource management, which is relevant when considering population growth.
Etymology
The word "procreation" is like a mashup of two older words!
The first part, "pro," comes from Latin and means "to bring forth" or "forward." Think of "progress" - moving forward.
The second part, "creation," also has Latin roots and means "making something new."
The word "procreation" itself first showed up in English around the late 1300s/early 1400s. Back then, it was used to describe the entire process of creating offspring, just like it is today. It might have come into English directly from Latin, or it could have been borrowed from French, which had a similar word at the time.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Procreation
"Procreation" itself isn't very common in idiomatic expressions. However, here are some phrases and related idioms that capture similar ideas:
Carry on the family name: This implies having children to continue the family lineage.
Bearing fruit: This is a metaphorical way to say someone is having children, often used in religious contexts.
The birds and the bees: This is a euphemism (indirect way of talking about something sensitive) for sex and reproduction.
Multiply like rabbits: This idiom describes reproducing very quickly.
Be fruitful and multiply: This comes from the Bible and refers to God's command for humans to reproduce.
Leave a legacy: This doesn't directly mention procreation, but it can be linked to the idea of leaving something behind through children.
Posts Related to Procreation
Source Information
Definition of procreation from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.