Word Study
incubate
CIDE DICTIONARY
incubate, v. i. & t. [L. incubatus, p. p. incubare to lie on; pref. in- in, on + cubare to lie down. Cf. Cubit, Incumbent.].
- To sit, as on eggs for hatching; to brood; to brood upon, or keep warm, as eggs, for the purpose of hatching. [1913 Webster]
- 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
. [PJC] - 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]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
incubate, v.
1 tr. sit on or artificially heat (eggs) in order to bring forth young birds etc.
2 tr. cause the development of (bacteria etc.) by creating suitable conditions.
3 intr. sit on eggs; brood.
1 tr. sit on or artificially heat (eggs) in order to bring forth young birds etc.
2 tr. cause the development of (bacteria etc.) by creating suitable conditions.
3 intr. sit on eggs; brood.
Etymology
L incubare (as IN-(2), cubare cubit- or cubat- lie)
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