embryo

em·bry·o   (ěm'brē-ō')    n.   pl. em·bry·os An organism in its early stages of development, especially before it has reached a distinctively recognizable form. An organism at any time before full development, birth, or hatching. The fertilized egg of a vertebrate animal following cleavage. In humans, the prefetal product of conception from implantation through the eighth week of development. The fertilized egg of a vertebrate animal following cleavage. In humans, the prefetal product of conception from implantation through the eighth week of development. Botany The minute, rudimentary plant contained within a seed or an archegonium. A rudimentary or beginning stage: "To its founding fathers, the European [Economic] Community was the embryo of the United States of Europe" (Economist). [Medieval Latin embryō, from Greek embruon : en-, in; see en-2 + bruein, to be full to bursting.]

embryo [(em-bree-oh)]

A developing plant or animal. A plant embryo is an undeveloped plant inside a seed. An animal embryo is the animal as it develops from the single cell of the zygote until birth. Among humans and most other mammals, the embryo is carried in the mother's womb.

Note: The term is occasionally used to denote a new or developing idea or project: “The idea for the complete theory was already present in his work, in embryo form, in 1950.”

embryo 

Main Entry: em·bryo
Pronunciation: 'em-brE-"O
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural em·bry·os
1 archaic : a vertebrate at any stage of development prior to birth or hatching
2 : an animal in the early stages of growth and differentiation that are characterized by cleavage,the laying down of fundamental tissues, and the formation of primitive organs and organ systems; especially : the developing human individual from the time of implantation to the end ofthe eighth week after conception —compare FETUS

embryo em·bry·o (ěm'brē-ō')
n. pl. em·bry·os

1. An organism in its early stages of development, especially before it has reached a distinctively recognizable form.

2. An organism at any time before full development, birth, or hatching.

3. The fertilized egg of a vertebrate animal following cleavage.

4. In humans, the prefetal product of conception from implantation through the eighth week of development.