after-ripening
[ af-ter-rahy-puh-ning, ahf- ]
/ ˈæf tərˌraɪ pə nɪŋ, ˈɑf- /
noun
biochemical or physical changes that occur in a dormant seed to ensure germination and in fruits after harvesting.
the period during which this occurs.
Origin of after-ripening
First recorded in 1840–45
Words nearby after-ripening
after one's own heart,
after the fact,
after-dinner,
after-hours,
after-party,
after-ripening,
after-run,
afterbeat,
afterbirth,
afterbody,
afterbrain
British Dictionary definitions for after-ripening
after-ripening
noun
botany
the period of internal change that is necessary in some apparently mature seeds before germination can occur