— incubative , adj.
/in"kyeuh bayt', ing"-/ , v. , incubated, incubating .
v.t.
1. to sit upon (eggs) for the purpose of hatching.
2. to hatch (eggs), as by sitting upon them or by artificial heat.
3. to maintain at a favorable temperature and in other conditions promoting development, as cultures of bacteria or prematurely born infants.
4. to develop or produce as if by hatching; give form to: His brain was incubating schemes for raising money.
v.i.
5. to sit upon eggs.
6. to undergo incubation.
7. to develop; grow; take form: A plan was slowly incubating in her mind.
[ 1635-45; incubatus ptp. of incubare to lie or recline on, to sit on (eggs), equiv. to in- IN- 2 + cub ( are ) to sit, lie down + -atus -ATE 1 ; cf. INCUMBENT, CONCUBINE ]