lakˈtāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from French, from Late Latin lactation-, lactatio suckling, from Latin lactatus (past participle) + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the secretion and yielding of milk by the mammary gland
2. : one complete period of lactation extending from about the time of parturition to weaning
• lac·ta·tion·al (ˈ)lak|tāshən ə l, -shnəl adjective
• lac·ta·tion·al·ly - ə l]ē, -əl]ē, ]i\ adverb