incubate - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education

Definition of incubate

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in·cu·bate  audio  (nky-bt, ng-) KEY 

VERB:
in·cu·bat·ed, in·cu·bat·ing, in·cu·bates
VERB:
tr.
  1. To sit on (eggs) to provide heat, so as to promote embryonic development and the hatching of young; brood.
    1. To maintain (eggs, organisms, or living tissue) at optimal environmental conditions for growth and development.
    2. To maintain (a chemical or biochemical system) under specific conditions in order to promote a particular reaction.
  3. To form or consider slowly and protectively, as if hatching: incubated the idea for a while, then announced it.
VERB:
intr.
  1. To brood eggs.
  2. To develop and hatch.
  3. To undergo incubation.
ETYMOLOGY:
Latin incubre, incubt-, to lie down on : in-, on ; see in-2 + cubre, to lie down

OTHER FORMS:
incu·bative(Adjective)


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