GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found one definition

  1.       
    Incubate (?), v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Incubated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Incubating (?).] [L. incubatus, p. p. incubare to lie on; pref. in- in, on + cubare to lie down.  Cf. Cubit, Incumbent.]
    1. To sit, as on eggs for hatching; to brood; to brood upon, or keep warm, as eggs, for the purpose of hatching.

    [1913 Webster]


    2. To maintain (a living organism, such as microorganisms or a premature baby) under appropriate conditions, such as of temperature, humidity, or atmospheric composition, for growth; as, “coliform bacteria grow best when incubated at 37° C.”.

    [PJC]


    3. To develop gradually in some interior environment, until fully formed; as, “the ideas for his book were incubating for two years before he began to write”.

    [PJC]

Last match results