the quiescent period of the estrous cycle in mammals
Word origin
ModL: see meta- & estrus
metestrus in American English
(metˈestrəs)
noun
the luteal phase of the reproductive cycle in mammalian females, occurring after ovulation and characterized by developmentof the corpus luteum, increased progesterone secretion, and decreased estrogen secretion
Also: metoestrus
Word origin
[1895–1900; met- + estrus]This word is first recorded in the period 1895–1900. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Marxism, apothecaries' measure, backwind, calling card, hit-and-run