embryo

/ˈɛmbriˌoʊ/
noun
  1. An animal or human in the early stage of development before birth, especially from about two weeks after fertilization to the end of the eighth week of pregnancy.
    • The doctor explained that the embryo was developing normally.
    • Scientists study mouse embryos to understand human development.
    • In the first few weeks, the embryo grows rapidly and forms a heart.
  2. A plant in the early stage of development inside a seed.
    • Inside each seed is a tiny embryo that will grow into a new plant.
    • The embryo of the bean plant is protected by the seed coat.
    • Warmth and water help the plant embryo begin to grow.
  3. Something that is just beginning to develop or is in an early stage.
    • Her idea for a novel was just an embryo at that point.
    • The peace treaty was an embryo of a new relationship between the two countries.
    • The project was still an embryo when the funding was cut.
What does "embryo" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean