gemmule

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: gem=mule

CIDE DICTIONARY

gemmule, n. [L. gemmula, dim. of gemma: cf. F. gemmule. See Gem.].

•  A little leaf bud, as the plumule between the cotyledons.  [1913 Webster]
•  A bud produced in generation by gemmation.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

gemmule, n. an encysted embryonic cell-cluster in sponges.

Etymology

F gemmule or L gemmula little bud (as GEM)

ROGET THESAURUS

gemmule

Cause

N cause, origin, source, principle, element, occasioner, prime mover, primum mobile, vera causa, author, mainspring, agent, leaven, groundwork, foundation, spring, fountain, well, font, fountainhead, spring head, wellhead, fons et origo, genesis, descent, remote cause, influence, pivot, hinge, turning point, lever, crux, fulcrum, key, proximate cause, causa causans, straw that breaks the camel's back, ground, reason, reason why, why and wherefore, rationale, occasion, derivation, final cause, les dessous des cartes, undercurrents, rudiment, egg, germ, embryo, bud, root, radix radical, etymon, nucleus, seed, stem, stock, stirps, trunk, tap-root, gemmule, radicle, semen, sperm, nest, cradle, nursery, womb, nidus, birthplace, hotbed, causality, causation, origination, production, caused, causal, original, primary, primitive, primordial, aboriginal, protogenal, radical, embryonic, embryotic, in embryo, in ovo, seminal, germinal, at the bottom of, connate, having a common origin, because, behind the scenes, causa latet vis est notissima, felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas.