ˈiŋkyəˌbāt, ˈink-, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin incubatus, past participle of incubare to lie upon, hatch, from in- in- (II) + cubare to lie down, lie upon — more at hip
transitive verb
1. : to sit upon (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body in the manner of most birds : brood
2. : to maintain (as eggs, embryos of animals, or bacteria) under prescribed and usually controlled conditions (as of temperature and moisture) favorable for hatching or development especially in an incubator
3. : to maintain (a chemically active system) under controlled conditions for the development of a reaction
4. : to cause to develop : give form and substance to
incubated the new idea for a while before giving it to his supervisor
intransitive verb
1. : to sit on eggs : brood
2. : to undergo incubation
the cultures must incubate for five more days
3. : to acquire form and substance : develop
the plan incubated slowly on his nightly walks from work