fetal
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
relating to a baby that is still growing inside its mother.
pertaining to or connected with a fetus during its development in the womb.
Simple“The doctor monitored the fetal heartbeat during the routine checkup.”
In context“Advanced imaging techniques allow specialists to monitor fetal development with extraordinary precision throughout the second trimester.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
describing a way of lying down with your knees pulled up to your chest.
denoting a physical posture characterized by a curled torso and limbs drawn toward the chest, resembling a fetus.
Simple“He fell asleep in a fetal position on the sofa.”
In context“After the exhausting marathon, she collapsed onto the grass in a fetal position to recover her breath.”
UsageAlmost always used in the phrase 'fetal position'.
Synonymscurled uphunched
“Tissue resident macrophages are unusually long-lived cells that settle into organs during fetal development.”
From fetus + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.