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1. An animal organism in the early stages of growth and differentiation that in higher forms merge into foetal stages but in lower forms terminate in commencement of larval life
   - conceptus, fertilized egg, fertilised egg [Brit]
    
2. (botany) a minute rudimentary plant contained within a seed or an archegonium
    
3. The multicellular organism formed after conception during the first 8 weeks of human development (after which it is classified as a foetus)
    
4. The first stage or starting form of anything

Derived forms: embryos

Type of: animal, animate being, beast, brute, creature, fauna, flora, plant, plant life

Encyclopedia: Embryo