Fetus
/ˈfiː.təs/noun
An unborn offspring in the later stages of development, particularly in humans after the 8th week of gestation.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, the term 'fetus' was also associated with the idea of 'bearing young' but had connections to rituals surrounding birth and the protection of the unborn.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
fetus
“Offspring; young one; a developing organism.”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
fetus
“The developing form of an animal or human before birth.”
15th Century
Old French
fetus
“The term adopted into legal and medical texts referring to the unborn.”
16th Century
English
fetus
“Introduced into the English language as a medical term for the developing young.”
Modern English
English
fetus
“Current usage referring to an unborn human in the later stages of development.”