In·cu·ba·tion n.
 1. A sitting on eggs for the purpose of hatching young; a brooding on, or keeping warm, (eggs) to develop the life within, by any process.
 2. Med. The development of a disease from its causes, or its period of incubation. (See below.)
 3. A sleeping in a consecrated place for the purpose of dreaming oracular dreams.
 Period of incubation, or  Stage of incubation Med., the period which elapses between exposure to the causes of an infectious disease and the attack resulting from it; the time during which an infective agent must grow in the body before producing overt symptoms of disease.

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