embryo
/ˈembrɪəu; `ɛmbrɪˌo/ n
(pl ~s / -əuz; -oz/)
1
(a) young animal or plant in the early stages of its development before birth (or before coming out of its egg or seed) 胚; 胚胎; 萌芽时期
an aborted embryo 流产的胚胎. Cf 参看 foetus.
(b) (fig 比喻) plan, scheme, etc in its very early stages 初步的计划、 方案等
an embryo of an idea 一个想法的雏形
[attrib 作定语]
The project is still at the embryo stage. 这个计划仍在酝酿阶段.
2 (idm 习语) in embryo existing but undeveloped 已存在但尚未发展的
My plans are still very much in embryo. 我的计划在很大程度上仍在酝酿中.