superfetation

[ soo-per-fee-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the fertilization of an ovum in a female mammal already pregnant.

superfetation

/ ˌsuːpəˈfiːteɪt; ˌsuːpəfiːˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. physiol the presence in the uterus of two fetuses developing from ova fertilized at different times

Derived Forms

• superfetate, adjective

Other Words From

• super·fetate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of superfetation¹

1595–1605; < Latin superfētāt ( us ) (past participle of superfētāre to conceive again while still pregnant, equivalent to super- super- + fētā ( re ) to breed ( fetus ) + -tus past participle suffix) + -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of superfetation¹

C17 superfetate, from Latin superfētāre to fertilize when already pregnant, from super- + fētāre to impregnate, from fētus offspring

Example Sentences

"It's called superfetation - it has a medical term to it, so why this process is not explained to surrogates, I don't know. They don't give this as a possibility."

From BBC

The difference in their size was obvious in the first trimester of pregnancy and continued, leading the doctor to offer superfetation as a diagnosis.

From New York Times

A rare condition known as superfetation makes it possible to conceive for a second time when pregnant.

From BBC

For that which is denied in other generations is done in this of yours: for here is superfetation, childe upon childe, and that which is more strange twins at a latter conception.

From Project Gutenberg

Again: he is charged, as above, with adding to his apparent perfidy a superfetation of insolence, an accretion or excrescence of insult.

From Project Gutenberg