gestation
/dʒeˈsteɪʃn; dʒɛs`teʃən/ n
1
(a) [U] carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth 怀孕; 妊娠
[attrib 作定语]
Elephants have a gestation period of about 624 days. 象的怀孕期大约为624日.
(b) [sing] period of time taken by this怀孕期; 妊娠期.
2 [U] (fig 比喻) development of an idea, a work of art, etc （思想、 艺术作品等的）酝酿,孕育.