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Spawn: meaning, definitions and examples

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spawn

 

[ spɔn ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

create life

To spawn means to produce or generate offspring, particularly in the context of aquatic animals such as fish, amphibians, and some marine invertebrates. It can also refer to the action of generating ideas, projects, or software in a more figurative sense. In gaming, spawning refers to the act of creating player characters or items within a digital environment. The term has roots in both biology and technology, highlighting its versatility in use.

Synonyms

create, generate, produce

Examples of usage

  • The fish spawn in early spring.
  • The programmer decided to spawn new instances of the application.
  • In the game, monsters will spawn at dawn.
Context #2 | Noun

offspring production

In the context of biology, spawn refers to the eggs or seeds produced by aquatic organisms such as fish or amphibians. The term often describes the mass of egg cells deposited in water. Spawn is vital for the reproduction of various species and plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the beginning stages of a new idea or project.

Synonyms

eggs, offspring, seed

Examples of usage

  • The spawn of the frog was found in a small pond.
  • The fisherman discovered the spawn of salmon in the river.
  • After laying their spawn, the fish swam away.

Translations

Translations of the word "spawn" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gerar

🇮🇳 उत्पन्न करना

🇩🇪 zeugen

🇮🇩 munculkan

🇺🇦 випускати

🇵🇱 spawnować

🇯🇵 発生させる

🇫🇷 engendrer

🇪🇸 generar

🇹🇷 doğurmak

🇰🇷 출생하다

🇸🇦 توليد

🇨🇿 vytvořit

🇸🇰 vytvoriť

🇨🇳 产生

🇸🇮 ustvariti

🇮🇸 framleiða

🇰🇿 туғызу

🇬🇪 გახდომა

🇦🇿 yaratmaq

🇲🇽 generar

Word origin

The word 'spawn' originates from the Middle English term 'spawnen,' which comes from the Old French word 'espon,' meaning 'to lay eggs.' Its roots can be traced further back to the Latin word 'exponere,' meaning 'to put out' or 'to lay out.' Initially used to describe the reproductive processes of fish and other aquatic animals, 'spawn' has evolved to encompass broader meanings in various fields, including gaming and programming. Over time, the term has maintained its biological significance while also adopting metaphorical connotations related to the creation and generation of ideas or entities. Its usage has become widespread in both casual and technical contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,117, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.