incubation
noun [ U ] uk/ˌɪŋ.kjəˈbeɪ.ʃən/ us/ˌɪŋ.kjəˈbeɪ.ʃən/
(OF EGG)
孵化（蛋）
the process in which a bird, etc. keeps its eggs warm until the young come out, or the process in which an egg develops until the stage at which the young come out
The incubation period varies depending on the time of year when the eggs were laid. 孵化期的长短取决于每年产卵的时间。
The chemical makes eggshells so thin and porous that they break during incubation. 这种化学物质使蛋壳变得非常薄和多孔，以至于在孵化过程中会破裂。
See: incubate
- More examples
- We would remove the eggs for incubation.
- The sex of the young depends on the temperature during incubation.
- The buildings have a negative effect on turtle nests because they shield the sand from the sun and increase the incubation time.
(OF DISEASE)
（细菌或病毒在体内）潜伏
the process or period of time in which harmful bacteria or viruses increase in size or number in a person's or animal's body but do not yet produce the effects of disease
In smallpox, there is an incubation period of 8–18 days between initial infection and first symptoms. 天花，从最初感染到出现第一个症状之间有8到18天的潜伏期。
After about two weeks of incubation, symptoms begin. 大约两星期的潜伏期之后，症状开始出现。
- More examples
- The incubation period for the disease can last for several weeks.
- The incubation for hepatitis A is 15 to 50 days.
- There had been no movements of birds off the farm since the incubation of the disease started.