dakkar

Maltese

Root
d-k-r

Etymology

From Arabic ذَكَّرَ‎ (ḏakkara, “to pollinate artificially”), derived from ذَكَر‎ (ḏakar, “male”). The sense “influence” may be merely a figurative use of the former; compare for example English fertilize, German befruchten. However, it might also continue the sense “remind, admonish” of the Arabic verb.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈdak.kar/

Verb

dakkar (imperfect jdakkar, past participle mdakkar)

(of insects) to pollinate (plants)
(of persons) to pollinate (plants) or inseminate (animals) artificially
(of persons or ideas) to influence, inspire