An embryo, which in mammals goes through fishlike gilled stages, stages with tails, and eventually the form of the parent animal.

Stage of prenatal development in which all major organ systems are formed but are not yet fully developed. In humans, the fetal stage lasts from about 8 weeks post-conception until birth.

Fe"tus (?), n.; pl. Fetuses (#). [L. fetus, foetus, a bringing forth, brood, offspring, young ones, cf. fetus fruitful, fructified, that is or was filled with young; akin to E. fawn a deer, fecundity, felicity, feminine, female, and prob. to do, or according to others, to be.]

The young or embryo of an animal in the womb, or in the egg; often restricted to the later stages in the development of viviparous and oviparous animals, embryo being applied to the earlier stages. [Written also fœtus.]

 

© Webster 1913

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Fœ"tus (?), n.

Same as Fetus.

 

© Webster 1913