FETUS Definition & Meaning

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fetus

especially British, �ڴǱ�·�ٳܲ�

[fee-tuhs]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Embryology.

plural

fetuses

(used chiefly of viviparous mammals) the young of an animal in the womb or egg, especially in the later stages of development when the body structures are in the recognizable form of its kind, in humans after the end of the second month of gestation.

fetus

/ ˈ�ھ�ː��ə�� /

noun

the embryo of a mammal in the later stages of development, when it shows all the main recognizable features of the mature animal, esp a human embryo from the end of the second month of pregnancy until birth Compare embryo

fetus

The unborn offspring of a mammal at the later stages of its development, especially a human from eight weeks after fertilization to its birth. In a fetus, all major body organs are present.

fetus

The embryo of an animal that bears its young alive (rather than laying eggs). In humans, the embryo is called a fetus after all major body structures have formed; this stage is reached about sixty days after fertilization.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of fetus¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ��ŧ�ٳܲ� “bringing forth of young,” hence “that which is born, offspring, young still in the womb,” equivalent to ��ŧ- (verb base attested in Latin only in noun derivatives, as ��ŧ��Բ� “w�ǳ��,” ��ŧ��ܲԻ�ܲ� “f��پ��,” ��ī��ܲ� “s�ǲ�,” ��ī�� “daughter,” etc.; compare Greek �ٳ�ŧ��ٳ󲹾� “to suck, milk,” Old High German ��岹�� “to suck,” Old Irish denid “(he) sucks,” Slavic (Polish) ��Ǿ�ć “to milk” + -tus suffix of verb action; fecund

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of fetus¹

C14: from Latin: offspring, brood

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tells us he doesn’t believe in germ theory but does believe in “chemtrails,” while suggesting that the measles vaccine contains aborted fetuses.

From

Amniotic fluid, which is contained within the amniotic sac, supports, cushions and protects a developing fetus.

From

I also like to listen to lullaby music, which makes me sound like a fetus, but it helps me get over my insomniac tendencies.

From

"Once there is no more fetus and the woman is no longer pregnant, their interest evaporates."

From

On certain occasions, a llama fetus is added to the mix.

From

fettucine feu

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