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gestate

[jes-teyt]
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verb (used with object), ges·tat·ed, ges·tat·ing.
  1. to carry in the womb during the period from conception to delivery.
  2. to think of and develop (an idea, opinion, plan, etc.) slowly in the mind.
verb (used without object), ges·tat·ed, ges·tat·ing.
  1. to experience the process of gestating offspring.
  2. to develop slowly.

Origin of gestate

1865–70; < Latin gestātus past participle of gestāre to carry about, carry in the womb, frequentative of gerere to bear, perform
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for gestate

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Thus preparing the upper crust of our earth as a "placenta" ready to gestate plant and animal life.

    The Brain

    Alexander Blade

  • We're fighting for time—time for Charlie and his gang to crack the puzzle, time for the Grdznth girls to gestate.

    PRoblem

    Alan Edward Nourse

British Dictionary definitions for gestate

gestate

verb
  1. (tr) to carry (developing young) in the uterus during pregnancy
  2. (tr) to develop (a plan or idea) in the mind
  3. (intr) to be in the process of gestating

Word Origin

C19: back formation from gestation
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for gestate

v.

1866, back-formation from gestation. Related: Gestated; gestating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper