Se"men (?), n.; pl. Semina (#). [L., from the root of serere, satum, to sow. See Sow to scatter seed.]

1. Bot.

The seed of plants.

2. Physiol.

The seed or fecundating fluid of male animals; sperm. It is a white or whitish viscid fluid secreted by the testes, characterized by the presence of spermatozoids to which it owes its generative power.

Semen contra, ∨ Semen cinae or cynae, a strong aromatic, bitter drug, imported from Aleppo and Barbary, said to consist of the leaves, peduncles, and unexpanded flowers of various species of Artemisia; wormseed.

 

© Webster 1913.