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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Seminary


SEM'INARY, noun [Latin seminarium, from semen, seed; semino, to sow.]

1. A seed-plant; ground where seed is sown for producing plants for transplantation; a nursery; as, to transplant trees from a seminary.

[In this sense, the word is not used in America; being superseded by nusery.]

2. The place or original stock whence anything is brought.

This stratum, being the seminary or promptuary, furnishing matter for the formation of animal or vegetable bodies- Woodward. [Not in use.]

3. Seminal state. [Not in use.]

4. Source of propagation.

5. A place of education; any school, academy, college or univerlity, in which young persons are instructed in the several branches of learning which may qualify them for future employments. [This is the only signification of the word in the United States, at least as far as my knowledge

extends.]

6. A Romish priest educated in a seminary; a seminarist.

SEM'INARY, adjective Seminal; belonging to seed.