adjective
seminal
SEM-ih-nul/ˈsemɪnl/
Strongly influencing later ideas, works, or developments.
The seminal book shapes the work of later researchers.
Etymology
Seed-like, full of future possibility, became a word for work that strongly shapes later growth.
More examples
- Her seminal study opens a new field.
- The essay becomes a seminal influence on the movement.
Forms
seminal
Similar words
- influential
- Having an effect on others without necessarily starting a development.
- foundational
- Providing a basic structure for later work.