Rank a netman (4 letters)

{ Answer }

SEED

{ Related Clues }

Germ
Origin
___ pearl
Pip
Pit
Progeny
Sow
Spore
Core component
Farmer's purchase
Go to ___ (deteriorate)
Oyster or pearl
Pip or pit
Something to go to
Starting point
Symbol of regeneration
C. Norris novel
Do a farm chore
Do a lawn chore
Pearl Buck's "Dragon ___"
Rank a tennis contestant
Third-day creation
___ money (start-up's need)
" . . . like to a grain of mustard ___": Matt. 13:31

{ Tags }

beginning, eg, garden, gardeners, germ, kind, money, origin, pearl, pip, pit, plant, progeny, purchase, seed, something, source, sow, spore, start, tournament

{ Notes }

The answer SEED is seen frequently, appearing about once every 70 puzzles.

{ Definition }

SEED as a noun:

1. a small hard fruit

2. a mature fertilized plant ovule consisting of an embryo and its food source and having a protective coat or testa

3. (seeded player, seed) = one of the outstanding players in a tournament

4. (source, seed, germ) = anything that provides inspiration for later work

5. (semen, seed, seminal fluid, ejaculate, cum, come) = the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

SEED as a verb:

1. go to seed; shed seeds; "The dandelions went to seed"

2. help (an enterprise) in its early stages of development by providing seed money

3. bear seeds

4. (sow, sough, seed) = place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth; "She sowed sunflower seeds"

5. distribute (players or teams) so that outstanding teams or players will not meet in the early rounds

6. sprinkle with silver iodide particles to disperse and cause rain; "seed clouds"

7. inoculate with microorganisms

8. remove the seeds from; "seed grapes"