Em"bry*o (?), n.; pl. Embryos (#). [F. embryon, Gr. , perh. fr. in (akin to L. E. in) + to be full of, swell with; perh. akin to E. brew.] Biol.
The first rudiments of an organism, whether animal or plant; as:
(a)
The young of an animal in the womb, or more specifically, before its parts are developed and it becomes a fetus (see Fetus)
. (b)
The germ of the plant, which is inclosed in the seed and which is developed by germination.
In embryo, in an incipient or undeveloped state; in conception, but not yet executed. "The company little suspected what a noble work I had then in embryo."
Swift.
© Webster 1913.
Em"bry*o, a.
Pertaining to an embryo; rudimentary; undeveloped; as, an embryo bud.
© Webster 1913.