fertilis

1. Fœcundus (from φύω, fœtus,) denotes the fruitfulness of a living and breeding being, in opp. to effatus, like εὔτόκος; whereas fertilis and ferax (from (φέρω) the fruitfulness of inanimate and productive nature, and of the elements, opposed to sterilis, like εὔφορος. Tac. Ann. xii. 63. Byzantium fertili solo fœcundoque mari, quia vis piscium hos ad portus adfertur. Germ. 5. Terra satis ferax, frugiferarum arborum impatiens, pecorum fœcunda, sed plerumque improcera. Mela. i. 9, 1. Terra mire fertilis et animalium perfœcunda genetrix. And ii. 7. 2. Fertilis denotes the actual fruitfulness which has been produced by cultivation; ferax, the mere capability which arises from the nature of the soil. Cicero uses fertilis in a proper, ferax, in a figurative sense. 3. Fertilis and ferax denote fruitfulness under the image of creative and productive power, as of the father and mother; uber, under the image of fostering and sustaining, as of the nurse, like εὐθηνής; frugifer, under the image of a corn-field; fructuosus, under that of a tree rich in fruit, like ἔγκαρπος. (iv. 831.)