Incubate

Definition of Incubate

In´cu`bate

v. i. & t.	1.	To sit, as on eggs for hatching; to brood; to brood upon, or keep warm, as eggs, for the purpose of hatching. [imp. & p. p. Incubated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Incubating .]
	2.	To maintain (a living organism, such as microorganisms or a premature baby) under appropriate conditions, such as of temperature, humidity, or atmospheric composition, for growth; as, coliform bacteria grow best when incubated at 37° C..
	3.	To develop gradually in some interior environment, until fully formed; as, the ideas for his book were incubating for two years before he began to write.

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