fetus

American  

[fee-tuhs] / ˈfi təs /

especially British, foetus

noun

Embryology.

plural

fetuses

1. (used chiefly of viviparous mammals) the young of an animal in the womb or egg, especially in the later stages of development when the body structures are in the recognizable form of its kind, in humans after the end of the second month of gestation.

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fetus British  

/ ˈfiːtəs /

noun

1. the embryo of a mammal in the later stages of development, when it shows all the main recognizable features of the mature animal, esp a human embryo from the end of the second month of pregnancy until birth Compare embryo

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fetus Scientific  

/ fē′təs /

1. The unborn offspring of a mammal at the later stages of its development, especially a human from eight weeks after fertilization to its birth. In a fetus, all major body organs are present.

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fetus Cultural  

1. The embryo of an animal that bears its young alive (rather than laying eggs). In humans, the embryo is called a fetus after all major body structures have formed; this stage is reached about sixty days after fertilization.

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Etymology

Origin of fetus

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin fētus “bringing forth of young,” hence “that which is born, offspring, young still in the womb,” equivalent to fē- (verb base attested in Latin only in noun derivatives, as fēmina “woman,” fēcundus “fertile,” fīlius “son,” fīlia “daughter,” etc.; compare Greek thēsthai “to suck, milk,” Old High German tāan “to suck,” Old Irish denid “(he) sucks,” Slavic (Polish) doić “to milk” + -tus suffix of verb action; fecund

Example Sentences

Scientists have shown that this ratio reflects the balance of estrogen and testosterone a fetus is exposed to during the first trimester of pregnancy.

From Science Daily

Such tools could help detect consciousness in patients with brain injuries or dementia and determine when awareness arises in fetuses, animals, brain organoids, or even AI systems.

From Science Daily

Although prior immunity usually protects the fetus, routine screening is not available in some countries, highlighting the challenges of managing an infection that is widespread but often symptom-free.

From Science Daily

Concentrations in drinking water systems higher than 0.8 milligrams per liter can be harmful, especially to infants, young children and fetuses, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

From Salon

The woman cried and begged guards for days after to help her get pills to expel the fetuses — help that did not come before Pineda left the facility.

From Los Angeles Times