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superfetation

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

noun

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

Nearby words

  1. superexcitation,
  2. superfamily,
  3. superfecta,
  4. superfecundation,
  5. superfemale,
  6. superficial,
  7. superficial dorsal veins of clitoris,
  8. superficial dorsal veins of penis,
  9. superficial epigastric vein,
  10. superficial fascia

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
Related formssu·per·fe·tate, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for superfetation

superfetation

/ (ˌsuːpəfiːˈteɪʃən) /

noun

physiol the presence in the uterus of two fetuses developing from ova fertilized at different times
Derived Formssuperfetate (ˌsuːpəˈfiːteɪt), adjective

Word Origin for superfetation

C17 superfetate, from Latin superfētāre to fertilize when already pregnant, from super- + fētāre to impregnate, from fētus offspring
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