capacitation

verb (used with object), ca·pac·i·tat·ed, ca·pac·i·tat·ing.

1. to make capable; enable.

verb (tr)

1. to make legally competent
2. rare to make capable

v.

1650s, from Latin capacitas (see capacity) + -ate (2). Related: Capacitation.

n.

1. The change undergone by spermatozoa in the female genital tract that enables them to penetrate and fertilize an egg.