Word Study
embryo
CIDE DICTIONARY
embryo, n. [F. embryon, Gr. 'e`mbryon, perh. fr. in (akin to L. E. in) + to be full of, swell with; perh. akin to E. brew.].
The first rudiments of an organism, whether animal or plant [1913 Webster]
embryo, a.
Pertaining to an embryo; rudimentary; undeveloped; as, an embryo bud. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
embryo, n. (pl. -os)
1 a an unborn or unhatched offspring. b a human offspring in the first eight weeks from conception.
2 a rudimentary plant contained in a seed.
3 a thing in a rudimentary stage.
4 (attrib.) undeveloped, immature.
1 a an unborn or unhatched offspring. b a human offspring in the first eight weeks from conception.
2 a rudimentary plant contained in a seed.
3 a thing in a rudimentary stage.
4 (attrib.) undeveloped, immature.
Idiom
in embryo undeveloped.
Derivative
embryoid adj. embryonal adj. embryonic adj. embryonically adv.
Etymology
LL embryo -onis f. Gk embruon foetus (as EN-(2), bruo swell, grow)
ROGET THESAURUS
embryo
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.For further exploring for "embryo" in Webster Dictionary Online