embryon

embryo

noun ahm-bree-ON Rare

Origin: Greek embryon, from en- (within) + bryein (to grow)

Usage Note

Embryon refers to an organism in the earliest stages of development, before it becomes a fœtus (foetus) around eight weeks in humans. Figuratively, un embryon de projet means a project in its earliest, barely-formed stage. The adjective embryonnaire means embryonic or rudimentary.

Examples

"L'embryon se développe rapidement pendant les premières semaines."

Natural Translation

The embryo develops rapidly during the first weeks.

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