bud

¹bud

noun \ˈbəd\

Definition of BUD

1

: a small lateral or terminal protuberance on the stem of a plant that may develop into a flower, leaf, or shoot

2

: something not yet mature or at full development: as

a : an incompletely opened flower

b : child, youth

c (1) : an outgrowth of an organism that differentiates into a new individual : gemma (2) : an outgrowth having the potential to differentiate and grow into a definitive organ or part : primordium <an embryonic limb bud>

3

: buddy

— in the bud

: in an early stage of development <nipped the rebellion in the bud>

Examples of BUD

1. The bush has plenty of buds but no flowers yet.
2. <that sitcom star is still a bud, so all he needs right now are looks and personality>

Origin of BUD

Middle English budde

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BUD

Synonyms

bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, child, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms

adult, grown-up

Related Words

adolescent, minor; kindergartner (also kindergartener), preschooler, rug rat [slang], schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid; babe, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke (also tike), weanling; brat, devil, hellion, imp, jackanapes, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, urchin, whippersnapper; cherub; preteen, preteen-ager, subteen, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween; lad, nipper, shaver, stripling, tad; bobby-soxer, hoyden, tomboy

Near Antonyms

middle-ager; ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen

Rhymes with BUD

blood, crud, cud, dud, flood, fud, mud, rudd, scud, spud, stud, sudd, thud

²bud

verb

bud·ded bud·ding

Definition of BUD

intransitive verb

1

of a plant

a : to set or put forth buds

b : to commence growth from buds

2

: to grow or develop from or as if from a bud

3

: to reproduce asexually especially by the pinching off of a small part of the parent

transitive verb

1

: to produce or develop from buds

2

: to cause (as a plant) to bud

3

: to insert a bud from a plant of one kind into an opening in the bark of (a plant of another kind) usually in order to propagate a desired variety

— bud·der noun

Examples of BUD

1. The trees budded early this spring.

First Known Use of BUD

14th century

bud

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Small lateral or terminal protuberance on the stem of a vascular plant that may develop into a flower, leaf, or shoot. Buds arise from meristem tissue. In temperate climates, trees form resting buds that are resistant to frost in preparation for winter. Flower buds are modified leaves.