incubative


in·cu·bate

I0093200 (ĭn′kyə-bāt′, ĭng′-)v. in·cu·bat·ed, in·cu·bat·ing, in·cu·bates v.tr.1. To sit on (eggs) to provide heat, so as to promote embryonic development and the hatching of young; brood.2. a. To maintain (eggs, organisms, or living tissue) at optimal environmental conditions for growth and development.b. To maintain (a chemical or biochemical system) under specific conditions in order to promote a particular reaction.3. To be infected with (a pathogen) before manifesting signs or symptoms of an infectious disease.4. To form or consider slowly and protectively, as if hatching: incubated the idea for a while, then announced it.v.intr.1. To brood eggs.2. To develop and hatch.3. To undergo incubation.
[Latin incubāre, incubāt-, to lie down on : in-, on; see in-2 + cubāre, to lie down.]
in′cu·ba′tive adj.