Main Entry:

bulb

Pronunciation:

\ˈbəlb\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin bulbus, from Greek bolbos bulbous plant

Date:

15th century

1 a: a resting stage of a plant (as the lily, onion, hyacinth, or tulip) that is usually formed underground and consists of a short stem base bearing one or more buds enclosed in overlapping membranous or fleshy leaves b: a fleshy structure (as a tuber or corm) resembling a bulb in appearance c: a plant having or developing from a bulb2: a bulb-shaped part ; specifically : a glass envelope enclosing the light source of an electric lamp or such an envelope together with the light source it encloses3: a rounded or swollen anatomical structure4: a camera setting that indicates that the shutter can be opened by pressing on the release and closed by ending the pressure

— bulbed \ˈbəlbd\ adjective

[bulb illustration]