Maintaining something at the most favorable temperature for its development.

Roget 673: preparation; providing etc. v.; provision, providence; anticipation etc. (foresight) 510; precaution, preconcertation^†, predisposition; forecast etc. (plan) 626; rehearsal, note of preparation.    [Putting in order] arrangement etc. 60; clearance; adjustment etc. 23; tuning; equipment, outfit, accouterment, armament, array.    ripening etc. v.; maturation, evolution; elaboration, concoction, digestion; gestation, batching, incubation, sitting.    groundwork, first stone, cradle, stepping-stone; foundation, scaffold etc. (support) 215; scaffolding, echafaudage [Fr.].    [Preparation of men] training etc. (education) 537; inurement etc. (habit) 613; novitiate; cooking [Preparation of food], cookery; brewing, culinary art; tilling, plowing, [Preparation of the soil], sowing; semination^†, cultivation.    [State of being prepared] preparedness, readiness, ripeness, mellowness; maturity; un impromptu fait a loisir [Fr.].    [Preparer] preparer, trainer; pioneer, trailblazer; avant-courrier [Fr.], avant-coureur [Fr.]; voortrekker [Afrik.]; sappers and miners, pavior^†, navvy^†; packer, stevedore; warming pan.    ... show more

pathology The phase in the development of an infection between the time a pathogen enters the body and the time the first symptoms appear.

Polish: inkubacja

Sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body.

synonym: brooding.

Dutch: broeden