Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
superfetate. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
superfetate, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
superfetate in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
superfetate you have here. The definition of the word
superfetate will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
superfetate, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Latin superfetare, from super (“above, over”) + fetare (“to bring forth”).
Verb
superfetate (third-person singular simple present superfetates, present participle superfetating, simple past and past participle superfetated)
- To conceive after a prior conception, but before the birth of the offspring.
1910, Herodotus, translated by George Rawlinson, The History of Herodotus, Book 3:The hare, for instance, which is hunted alike by beasts, birds, and men, breeds so abundantly as even to superfetate, a thing which is true of no other animal. You find in a hare's belly, at one and the same time, some of the young all covered with fur, others quite naked, others again just fully formed in the womb, while the hare perhaps has lately conceived afresh.
1938, Pliny the Elder, translated by H. Rackham, Natural History, Book 10:Rabbits breed in every month of the year, and superfetate, as do hares; after giving birth they pair again at once.
Derived terms