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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