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| in·cu·bate [ íngkyə bàyt ] (past and past participle in·cu·bat·ed, present participle in·cu·bat·ing, 3rd person present singular in·cu·bates) |
transitive and intransitive verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. sit on eggs: to keep eggs warm by sitting on them so that the embryos inside can develop and hatch, or be kept warm in this way
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2. keep baby in incubator: to keep a premature or unwell baby inside a controlled environment in order to keep it alive and assist its growth and development, or be kept in such an environment
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3. grow microorganisms in controlled environment: to keep cells or microorganisms at a controlled temperature in or on a medium so that they multiply, or be kept in or on such a medium
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4. build up disease-producing germs: to develop an infection, through the reproduction of germs, to the point at which the first signs of a disease appear, or be developed in this way
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5. gradually bring something into being: to form or develop something such as a plan or an idea slowly and quietly over a period of time, or be formed or developed in this way
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| [Mid-17th century. < Latin incubat-, past participle of incubare "lie down on" < cubare "lie down"] |
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