spawn

English

/ˈspɔːn/

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To produce or deposit (eggs) in water.
  • (transitive) To generate, bring into being, especially non-mammalian beings in very large numbers.
  • (transitive) To bring forth in general.
  • (transitive) To induce (aquatic organisms) to spawn.
  • (transitive) To plant with fungal spawn.
  • (intransitive) To deposit (numerous) eggs in water.
  • (intransitive) To reproduce, especially in large numbers.
  • (ergative) (To cause) to appear spontaneously in a game at a certain point and time.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English spawnen derived from espaundre derived from Old French espandre (expand, extend, spread) derived from Latin expandere (stretch out, spread out).

Origin

Latin

expandere

Gloss

stretch out, spread out

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms