Definition
noun, plural: buds
(general) An immature or undeveloped structure that develops into a bodily structure or a new individual.
(biology) A small outgrowth from the parent organism, which becomes a new individual; a gemma.
(botany) A small swelling or protuberance on a stem or branch of a plant, containing the undeveloped shoot, leaf, or flower.
(zoology) A weaned calf on its first year, and whose horns are beginning to bud or form.
(anatomy) Any small rounded part.
Supplement
In botany, buds may be classified according to function. A leaf bud develops into leaf, a flower bud into a flower, and a mixed bud yielding both leaves and flowers.
Word origin: Middle English budde.
Related forms: budding (noun or adjective)
Related terms:
- Limb bud
- Tail bud
- Taste bud
- Lung bud
- terminal bud
- apical bud
- axillary bud
- adventitious bud
- scaly bud
- naked bud
- hairy bud
- vegetative bud
- reproductive bud
- mixed bud
