[agent n. f. L. fētāre to produce offspring, f. root of fētus FŒTUS.] The formation of a fœtus or embryo.
1669. J. Worlidge, Syst. Agric. (1681), 3. Chiefly the fruitful Fœtation and Progeny of Animals, have their Original from their Saline Seed.
1677. Hale, The Primitive Origination of Mankind, III. vi. 280. The Eggs of Silkworms, of all sorts of Flies, Caterpillers and Worms, which though in their secondary productions by Generation, yet being ripen’d to fœtation by the heat of the Sun, they live upon Leaves and Grass, and take their food without the care or assistance of those Parents that produced them.
1851. F. H. Ramsbotham, Obstet. Med. (ed. 3), 631. Extra-uterine fœtation.
