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 ( fetus ) + -tus past participle suffix) + -ion

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2016

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

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2016

Because for superfetation to occur, a number of things must happen—things that a woman’s reproductive cycle is intrinsically programmed to prevent.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2011

Spontaneous superfetation diagnosed in the first trimester with successful outcome.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2011

Baudeloque speaks of a case of superfetation observed by Desgranges in Lyons in 1780.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)