oviposit

verb

ovi·​pos·​it ˈō-və-ˌpä-zət 

ˌō-və-ˈpä-

oviposited; ovipositing; oviposits

intransitive verb

: to lay eggs

—used especially of insects

oviposition

ˌō-və-pə-ˈzi-shən 

noun

ovipositional

ˌō-və-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from ovipositor

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

oviposit

intransitive verb

ovi·​pos·​it ˈō-və-ˌpäz-ət, ˌō-və-ˈ 

: to lay eggs

—used especially of insects compare larviposit