Though he in a fertile climate dwell. --Shak.
2. (Bot.)
(a) Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; as, fertile
flowers.
(b) Containing pollen; -- said of anthers.
3. produced in abundance; plenteous; ample.
Henceforth, my early care . . . Shall tend thee, and
the fertile burden ease Of thy full branches.
--Milton.
Usage: Fertile implies the inherent power of production;
fruitful, the act. The prairies of the West are
fertile by nature, and are turned by cultivation into
fruitful fields. The same distinction prevails when
these words are used figuratively. A man of fertile
genius has by nature great readiness of invention; one
whose mind is fruitful has resources of thought and a
readiness of application which enable him to think and
act effectively.