Part 4258

<hw>Fer"ry</hw>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Ferries</plw> <tt>(#)</tt></plu>. <ety>[OE. <ets>feri</ets>; akin to Icel. <ets>ferja</ets>, Sw. <ets>f\'84rja</ets>, Dan. <ets>f\'91rge</ets>, G. <ets>f\'84hre</ets>. See <er>Ferry</er>, <tt>v. t.</tt>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A place where persons or things are carried across a river, arm of the sea, etc., in a ferryboat.</def>

<blockquote>It can pass the <b>ferry</b> backward into light. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>To row me o'er the <b>ferry</b>. <i>Campbell.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over narrow waters; a ferryboat; a wherry.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>A franchise or right to maintain a vessel for carrying passengers and freight across a river, bay, etc., charging tolls.</def>

<cs><col>Ferry bridge</col>, <cd>a ferryboat adapted in its structure for the transfer of railroad trains across a river or bay.</cd> -- <col>Ferry railway</col>. <cd>See under <er>Railway</er>.</cd></cs>

<h1>Ferryboat</h1> <Xpage=553>

<hw>Fer"ry*boat`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A vessel for conveying passengers, merchandise, etc., across streams and other narrow waters.</def>

<h1>Ferryman</h1> <Xpage=553>

<hw>Fer"ry*man</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Ferrymen</plw> <tt>(<?/)</tt>.</plu> <def>One who maintains or attends a ferry.</def>

<h1>Fers</h1> <Xpage=553>

<hw>Fers</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Fierce.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Ferthe</h1> <Xpage=553>

<hw>Ferthe</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Fourth.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Fertile</h1> <Xpage=553>

<hw>Fer"tile</hw> <tt>(? &or; ?; 277)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>fertilis</ets>, fr. <ets>ferr<?/</ets> to bear, produce: cf. F. <ets>fertile</ets>. <ets>See</ets> <er>Bear</er> to support.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Producing fruit or vegetation in abundance; fruitful; able to produce abundantly; prolific; fecund; productive; rich; inventive; <as>as, <ex>fertile</ex> land or fields; a <ex>fertile</ex> mind or imagination.</as></def>

<blockquote>Though he in a <b>fertile</b> climate dwell. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Bot.)</fld> <sd>(a)</sd> <def>Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; <as>as, <ex>fertile</ex> flowers</as>.</def> <sd>(b)</sd> <def>Containing pollen; -- said of anthers.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>produced in abundance; plenteous; ample.</def>

<blockquote>Henceforth, my early care . . . Shall tend thee, and the <b>fertile</b> burden ease Of thy full branches. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- <er>Fertile</er>, <er>Fruitful</er>.</syn> <usage> <i>Fertile</i> implies the inherent power of production; <i>fruitful</i>, the act. The prairies of the West are <i>fertile</i> by nature, and are turned by cultivation into <i>fruitful</i> fields. The same distinction prevails when these words are used figuratively. A man of <i>fertile</i> genius has by nature great readiness of invention; one whose mind is <i>fruitful</i> has resources of thought and a readiness of application which enable him to think and act effectively.</usage>

<hr> <page="554"> Page 554<p>

<h1>Fertilely</h1> <Xpage=554>

<hw>Fer"tile*ly</hw> <tt>(? &or; ?; 277)</tt>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In a fertile or fruitful manner.</def>

<h1>fertileness</h1> <Xpage=554>

<hw>fer"tile*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Fertility.</def>