embryo
ˈɛmbriˌoʊ
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
embruon — the young one
Overview
Meaning Now
- An unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development.
- Something in a rudimentary or incipient stage.
Literal older meaning
that which grows or swells within
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
embryon
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term traces back to the Greek concept of growth ('bruein'). Throughout the Middle Ages, the distinction between 'embryo' and 'fetus' was less clinical than it is today, often reflecting theological debates about the moment of 'ensoulment' in developing organisms.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
embruon
“fetus; anything that grows within”
From en- (in) + bruein (to be full, to swell, to sprout).
- Latin
embryon
“embryo”
Transliterated into Latin scientific literature.
- Middle French
embryon
“embryo”
Introduced via scientific Latin translation.
- Modern English
embryo
“developing offspring”
Dropping of the final -n to conform to English noun patterns.
Connections
Word parts
em-
prefix
in
bry-
root
to swell or sprout
Related across languages
French
embryon
embryo
German
embryo
Explore next
Related to embryo
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.