superfetation

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/suːpəfəˈteɪʃən/

noun

The formation of a fetus while another fetus is already present in the uterus.

OriginLatin superfetare →
Scrabble 18
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Meanings

nounsuperfetation (countable and uncountable, plural superfetations)

plural superfetations · alternative superfoetation

  1. countableuncountableThe formation of a fetus while another fetus is already present in the uterus.
  2. countableuncountableAn excessive accumulation; a superfluous addition.

    1992, Geoffrey Wall, translator of Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary These gentlemen were greatly astonished at Bovary's romantic ideas, and the pharmacist hurried in to say to him: "This velvet looks to me rather a superfetation. Besides, the expense..."

Origin

  1. Latinsuperfetare“conceive while pregnant”
  2. Englishsuperfetation

From Latin superfetare (“conceive while pregnant”), from super- + fetus.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French superfétation
  • superfétationformation of a fetus while another fetus is already present in the uterus.
Spanish superfetación
  • superfetaciónformation of a fetus while another fetus is already present in the uterus.
Cite this entry
APA

superfetation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/superfetation

MLA

“superfetation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/superfetation. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “superfetation,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/superfetation.

Source: superfetation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.