hotbed; seedbed; breeding ground
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesnoun
hotbed; seedbed (for cultivating seedlings in winter or early spring)
Refers to a heated frame with glass or plastic covering, often using fermenting materials or artificial heat to maintain temperature for seedling cultivation.
The farmers cultivated tomato seedlings in the hotbed.
In early spring, the vegetable hotbed provides a warm environment for seedlings.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
They filled fermenting material under the hotbed, using the heat from fermentation to maintain warmth.
noun
breeding ground; hotbed (environment conducive to growth or development)
Metaphorical usage describing conditions that foster the emergence, growth, or development of phenomena. Can be used for positive or negative contexts, though often used for negative developments.
The ocean is the cradle that nurtured primitive life.
Parental indulgence is a breeding ground for children to go bad.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
This unregulated market has become a hotbed for fraudulent activities.
Damp and dark environments are a breeding ground for mold.