in vitro
[in vee-troh]
- (of a biological process) made to occur in a laboratory vessel or other controlled experimental environment rather than within a living organism or natural setting.
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Compare in vivo.
Origin of in vitro
First recorded in 1890–95, in vitro is from the Latin word in vitrō literally, in glass
in vitro fertilization
- a specialized technique by which an ovum, especially a human one, is fertilized by sperm outside the body, with the resulting embryo later implanted in the uterus for gestation.
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Origin of in vitro fertilization
First recorded in 1970–75
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for in vitro
Contemporary Examples
In-vitro fertilization could also come under threat, opponents say, as the process can result in discarded embryos.
Mason said opponents use birth control and in-vitro fertilization as "scare tactics."
Democrats say such amendments would “ban IUDs, the morning-after pill, in-vitro fertilization, and all abortions.”
in vitro
- (of biological processes or reactions) made to occur outside the living organism in an artificial environment, such as a culture medium
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Word Origin
New Latin, literally: in glass
in vitro fertilization
- a technique enabling some women who are unable to conceive to bear children. Egg cells removed from a woman's ovary are fertilized by sperm in vitro; some of the resulting fertilized egg cells are incubated until the blastocyst stage, which are then implanted into her uterusAbbreviation: IVF
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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 in vitro
Latin; "in a test tube, culture dish, etc.;" literally "in glass" (see vitreous).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
in vitro
(ĭn vē′trō)- In an artificial environment outside a living organism.
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in vitro fertilization
- Fertilization of an egg outside the body of a female by the addition of sperm, as a means of producing a zygote.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
in vitro
[ĭn vē′trō]
- In an artificial environment, such as a test tube. Compare in vivo.
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in vitro fertilization
- Fertilization of an egg outside the body of a female by the addition of sperm, as a means of producing a zygote.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
in vitro
[(in vee-troh)]
In the laboratory; literally, “in glass” (laboratory experiments are often carried out in glass containers). In vitro conditions are distinguished from conditions that actually apply in nature. (Compare in vivo.)
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Note
In vitro appears in the expression in vitro fertilization, a way of producing human embryos in a laboratory.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.