incubate Definition
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incubate
verb incubated, incubating
- tr & intr
1. Said of birds: to hatch (eggs) by sitting on them to keep them warm.
2. To encourage (germs, bacteria, etc) to develop by creating favourable and controlled conditions, eg in a culture medium in a laboratory.
intr
3. Said of germs, etc: to remain inactive in a living organism before the first signs and symptoms of disease appear.
4. To maintain (a substance or a mixture of substances) at a constant temperature over a period of time in order to study chemical or biochemical reactions.
tr & intr
5. To develop slowly or gradually.
6. Said of embryos, premature babies, etc: to develop under favourable or controlled conditions, eg in an incubator.
