Circumgestation

/ˌsɜːkəmdʒɛˈsteɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The state of being surrounded, enclosed, or enclosed as if by pregnancy; historical term suggesting encompassing or containing.

Etymology

From Latin circumgestatio, combining circum- and gestatio (carrying, pregnancy). Extremely rare even in historical medical texts, from Late Latin.

Kelly Says

This is basically an obsolete word that medical historians might encounter in old texts, but it beautifully shows how medieval scholars tried to create Latin terms for every conceivable concept—even metaphorical pregnancies.

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