or chiefly Brit  foe*tus  n, pl  fe*tus*es  or chiefly Brit  foe*tus*es  or  foe*ti   :  an unborn or unhatched vertebrate esp. after attaining the basic structural plan of its kind : specif  :  a developing human from usu. three months after conception to birth - compare EMBRYO  .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  phy·tase 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2004.