incubation

noun ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about incubation at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

1. Maintaining something at the most favorable temperature for its development.
2. (pathology) the phase in the development of an infection between the time a pathogen enters the body and the time the first symptoms appear.
3. Sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body.