bud

bud

bud¹ [bud]

n.

[ME budde, bud, seedpod < IE base * bheu-: see BIG]

1.

a) a small swelling or projection on a plant, from which a shoot, cluster of leaves, or flower develops

b) a partly opened flower

2. any undeveloped or immature person or thing

3. an asexually produced swelling or growth on the body of a sponge, fungus, etc. that develops into a new individual

vi.

budded, budding [< BUD¹ the n.]

1. to put forth buds

2. to begin to develop

3. to be young, promising, etc.

vt.

1. to put forth as a bud or buds

2. to cause to bud

3. to insert (a bud of a plant) into the bark of another plant

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in the bud or in bud

1. in the time of budding

2. in a budding condition

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nip in the bud

to put an end to at the earliest stage

budder

n.

budlike

adj.

☆ bud² [bud ]

n.

[Slang]

short for BUDDY (n. 1): used in addressing a man or boy