foetus

See also fœtus

English

A foetus at 8 weeks from conception.

Etymology

Hypercorrect spelling of fetus attested since the 16th century; from Latin fetus (“bringing forth offspring”).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈfiːtəs/

Noun

foetus (plural foetuses or foeti)

1. (chiefly UK, hypercorrect) Alternative spelling of fetus.

Usage notes

The form fetus is preferred in North America and in the scientific community, whereas foetus is still commonly used in Commonwealth nations.

Derived terms

• foetal

Translations

fetus — see fetus

References

• “foetus” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).

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Dutch

Noun

foetus n, m (plural foetussen, diminutive foetusje)

1. fetus

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Latin

Adjective

foetus m (feminine foeta, neuter foetum); first/second declension

1. Alternative form of fētus.

Inflection

Number	Singular				Plural
Case \ Gender	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter		Masculine	Feminine	Neuter
nominative	foetus	foeta	foetum		foetī	foetae	foeta
genitive	foetī	foetae	foetī		foetōrum	foetārum	foetōrum
dative	foetō	foetae	foetō		foetīs	foetīs	foetīs
accusative	foetum	foetam	foetum		foetōs	foetās	foeta
ablative	foetō	foetā	foetō		foetīs	foetīs	foetīs
vocative	foete	foeta	foetum		foetī	foetae	foeta

Noun

foetus (genitive foetūs); m, fourth declension

1. Alternative form of fētus.

Inflection

Number	Singular	Plural
nominative	foetus	foetūs
genitive	foetūs	foetuum
dative	foetuī	foetibus
accusative	foetum	foetūs
ablative	foetū	foetibus
vocative	foetus	foetūs