Incubator

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  incubator
       n : apparatus consisting of a box designed to maintain a
           constant temperature by the use of a thermostat; used for
           chicks or premature infants [syn: {brooder}]