| 释义 |
in·cu·bate
\ˈiŋkyəˌbāt, ˈink-, usu -ād.+V\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Latin incubatus, past participle of incubare to lie upon, hatch, from in- in- (II) + cubare to lie down, lie upon — more at hip
transitive verb
1. : to sit upon (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body in the manner of most birds : brood
2. : to maintain (as eggs, embryos of animals, or bacteria) under prescribed and usually controlled conditions (as of temperature and moisture) favorable for hatching or development especially in an incubator
3. : to maintain (a chemically active system) under controlled conditions for the development of a reaction
4. : to cause to develop : give form and substance to
< incubated the new idea for a while before giving it to his supervisor >
intransitive verb
1. : to sit on eggs : brood
2. : to undergo incubation
< the cultures must incubate for five more days >
3. : to acquire form and substance : develop
< the plan incubated slowly on his nightly walks from work > |