GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Found one definition
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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]