pollen

plural pollens

1. uncountableusuallyA fine, granular substance produced in flowers.
2. uncountableusuallybiologyPollen grains (microspores) produced in the anthers of flowering plants.First known use 1723

   In plants, the ability to recognize self from nonself plays an important role in fertilization, because self-fertilization will result in less diverse offspring than fertilization with pollen from another individual.

   2013 May–June, Katrina G. Claw, “Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3

3. obsoleteuncountableusuallyFine powder in general, fine flour.First known use 1523

   and ther was good wyne of Gascoyne,[…]as well of pollen, as of other vitailes

   1523–1525, John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners, Froissart's Chronicles, translation of original by Jean Froissart

   1 more example

   The bran, pollen and gurgions of this grain will be profitable to the miller; […]

   1796, C. Lorimer, A Letter to the Honourable the Corn Commitee, on the Importation of Rough Rice, as a Supplement to Wheat Flour, London: […] T[homas] Becket, […], →OCLC, page 5

present singular third person pollens · participle present pollening · participle past pollened · past pollened

1. poetictransitiveTo cover with, or as if with, pollen.