gestate
verb
- to carry in womb between conception and birth
- to carry offspring, enable or allow to develop, literally or figuratively
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /d͡ʒɛsˈteɪt/
verb
Etymology: Back-formation from gestation on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix).
- To carry offspring in the uterus from conception to delivery.
“In the early 1960s, a study was conducted in which gestating rats were given diets containing the same mineral content of mineral salts or amino acid chelates.”
- To develop an idea.
“Philip wondered at that five-year gap. Perhaps it simply proved that a work of genius takes longer to gestate than a work of mere competent brilliance.”
“Barnett is not currently working on a novel. "Something is gestating in my head," he says, "but I am not yet sure if I have one character or two."”