1.
[syn: incubator, brooder]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Incubator \In"cu*ba`tor\, n.
1. That which incubates, especially, an apparatus by means of
which eggs are hatched by artificial heat.
[1913 Webster]
2. An apparatus containing an enclosed chamber, used for the
cultivation of micro["o]rganisms or tissue cultures by
maintaining a suitable temperature and atmospheric
composition. Some incubators have no provision for
maintaining a special atmosphere, while in others,
especially for anaerobic organisms and tissue culture, the
moisture level and composition of the gases are also
controlled.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
3. (Med.) An apparatus consisting of enclosed chamber, for
maintaining prematurely born babies in a favorable
environment until able to thrive under normal conditions.
The temperature and level of oxygen in the atmosphere may
be controlled.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
incubator
n 1: apparatus consisting of a box designed to maintain a
constant temperature by the use of a thermostat; used for
chicks or premature infants [syn: incubator, brooder]