incubator
UK[ˈɪŋkjubeɪtə(r)]US[ˈɪŋkjubeɪtər]
n
a piece of hospital equipment in which a very small or weak baby is placed to be kept warm and given oxygen
n
a heated container for keeping eggs warm until they hatch
n
an organization that helps new companies to develop by providing office space, services, and business advice
Morpheme Breakdown
in
cub
ator
in
in, upon
cub
lie down
ator
agent suffix
Etymology
the word 'incubator' originates from the latin verb 'incubare', meaning 'to lie upon or in'. this verb is a compound of the prefix 'in-' (in, upon) and the root 'cubare' (to lie down). in ancient contexts, it was used literally, such as a bird lying on its eggs. the agent suffix '-or' was later added to form 'incubator', denoting an object that performs the action of incubating. the modern meaning evolved from this core idea of providing a warm, protective environment for development, first applied to eggs, then extended to premature infants and, metaphorically, to supportive environments for new businesses.
Analysis
Structure: in (in, upon) + cub (lie down) + ator (agent suffix)
in- (prefix, latin, meaning 'in, upon'); -cub- (root, latin, from 'cubare', meaning 'to lie down'); -ator (suffix, latin, agent noun suffix, meaning 'one who or that which performs an action').
Examples
the premature baby was placed in an incubator for several weeks.
we used an incubator to hatch the chicks from the fertilized eggs.
the tech incubator has helped launch dozens of successful startups.