Nurture embryonic leaders of the German nation (7)

I believe the answer is:

gestate

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'nurture embryonic' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'leaders of the german nation' is the wordplay.
'leaders of the german' becomes 'ge' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'nation' becomes 'state' (synonyms).
'ge'+'state'='GESTATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gestate that I've seen before include "Develop (idea, foetus)" , "Develop over time" , "carry child" , "Carry in the womb" , "Evolve, ripen" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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