1. A sitting on eggs for the purpose of hatching young; a brooding on, or keeping warm, (eggs) to develop the life within, by any process. Ray.
2. (Med.)
Defn: The development of a disease from its causes, or its period of incubation. (See below.)
3. A sleeping in a consecrated place for the purpose of dreaming oracular dreams. Tylor. Period of incubation, or Stage of incubation (Med.), the period which elapses between exposure to the causes of a disease and the attack resulting from it; the time of development of the supposed germs or spores.
INCUBATIVE
In"cu*ba*tive, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to incubation, or to the period of incubation.
INCUBATOR
In"cu*ba`tor, n.
Defn: That which incubates, especially, an apparatus by means of which eggs are hatched by artificial heat.
INCUBATORY
In*cu"ba*to*ry, a.
Defn: Serving for incubation.