Dictionary entry

Hatch (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Hatch, v. t. [OE. hacchen, hetchen; akin to G. hecken, Dan. hekke; cf. MHG. hagen bull; perh. akin to E. hatch a half door, and orig. meaning, to produce under a hatch. √12.] 1. To produce, as young, from an egg or eggs by incubation, or by artificial heat; to produce young from (eggs); as, the young when hatched. Paley.

As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not. Jer. xvii. 11.

For the hens do not sit upon the eggs; but by keeping them in a certain equal heat they bring life into them and hatch them. Robynson (More's Utopia).

2. To contrive or plot; to form by meditation, and bring into being; to originate and produce; to concoct; as, to hatch mischief; to hatch heresy. Hooker.

Fancies hatched

In silken-folded idleness. Tennyson.