incubate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb grow under conditions that promote development
  2. verb sit on (eggs)
    brood; cover; hatch.
    • Birds brood
    • The female covers the eggs

WordNet

In"cu*bate intransitive verb & transitive verb
Etymology
L. incubatus, p. p. incubare to lie on; pref. in- in, on + cubare to lie down. Cf. Cubit, Incumbent.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Incubated ; present participle & verbal noun Incubating
Definitions
  1. To sit, as on eggs for hatching; to brood; to brood upon, or keep warm, as eggs, for the purpose of hatching.

Webster 1913