Incubator
/ˈɪŋ.kjə.beɪ.tər/noun
A device or environment that maintains conditions suitable for the growth, development, or hatching of something.
Did you know?In ancient Greek and Roman healing temples, ritual incubation meant sleeping in a sacred place to receive a healing dream from a deity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*keub-
“To bend, lie, or crouch; the reconstructed root behind later Latin words for lying down.”
Classical Latin
Latin
cubāre
“To lie down, recline, or rest.”
Classical Latin
Latin
incubāre
“To lie upon something, especially to brood over eggs; in ritual contexts, to sleep in a sacred place awaiting a dream.”
Late Latin
Latin
incūbātor
“One who lies upon or broods; an agent or person associated with incubation.”
19th Century
English
incubator
“A device for hatching eggs or maintaining a controlled environment for developing organisms.”
Modern English
English
incubator
“A controlled chamber used especially for premature infants, cell cultures, or hatching eggs.”