superfetation

American  

[soo-per-fee-tey-shuhn] / ˌsu pər fiˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the fertilization of an ovum in a female mammal already pregnant.

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superfetation British  

/ ˌsuːpəˈfiːteɪt, ˌsuːpəfiːˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. physiol the presence in the uterus of two fetuses developing from ova fertilized at different times

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Other Word Forms

• superfetate adjective

Etymology

Origin of superfetation

1595–1605; < Latin superfētāt ( us ) (past participle of superfētāre to conceive again while still pregnant, equivalent to super- super- + fētā ( re ) to breed ( see fetus) + -tus past participle suffix) + -ion

Example Sentences

Pregnancy normally stops the monthly cycle of ovulation but superfetation allows it to continue.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2016

A rare condition known as superfetation makes it possible to conceive for a second time when pregnant.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2016

The odds of all three of them happening are without doubt extremely small as reflected by the very occasional reports of superfetation in humans in the medical literature.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2011

And for superfetation to occur, the conceptus needs to implant in a pregnant uterus.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2011

Erasistratus, that superfetation may happen to women as to irrational creatures; for, if the womb be well purged and very clean, then there can be divers births.

From Complete Works of Plutarch — Volume 3: Essays and Miscellanies by Plutarch