gestate

[jes-teyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gestate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ges·tat·ed, ges·tat·ing.

to carry in the womb during the period from conception to delivery.

to think of and develop (an idea, opinion, plan, etc.) slowly in the mind.

verb (used without object), ges·tat·ed, ges·tat·ing.

to experience the process of gestating offspring.

to develop slowly.

RELATED WORDS

expecting, fortification

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for gestate

Contemporary Examples of gestate

They gestate in the minds of viewers or listeners or readers.
Constructive Criticism: Reviewing the Idea of Reviewing
Ben Greenman
May 20, 2013

Historical Examples of gestate

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

(tr) to carry (developing young) in the uterus during pregnancy

(tr) to develop (a plan or idea) in the mind

(intr) to be in the process of gestating

Word Origin for gestate

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

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