fetal

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to a fetus or its development before birth

   The scan allowed doctors to monitor fetal growth.

2. 2
   adj

   curled tightly with the knees drawn toward the chest, as in the fetal position

   He lay in a fetal position beneath the blanket.

Appears in

Formed from fetus and the adjective suffix -al. Fetus comes from Latin fetus, 'offspring, bringing forth, or pregnancy.' Fetal is standard in American English, while foetal remains common in British English.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary