bud

¹

[ buhd ]

noun

1. Botany.
   1. a small axillary or terminal protuberance on a plant, containing rudimentary foliage leaf bud, the rudimentary inflorescence flower bud, or both mixed bud.
   2. an undeveloped or rudimentary stem or branch of a plant.
2. Zoology. (in certain animals of low organization) a prominence that develops into a new individual, sometimes permanently attached to the parent and sometimes becoming detached; gemmule.
3. Mycology. a small, rounded outgrowth produced from a fungus spore or cell by a process of asexual reproduction, eventually separating from the parent cell as a new individual: commonly produced by most yeast and a few other fungi.
4. Anatomy. any small rounded part.
5. an immature or undeveloped person or thing.
6. Slang. marijuana, especially potent marijuana from the buds, or flowering tops, of the hemp plant.

verb (used without object)

, bud·ded, bud·ding.

1. to put forth or produce buds.
2. to begin to develop.
3. to be in an early stage of development.

verb (used with object)

, bud·ded, bud·ding.

1. to cause to bud.
2. Horticulture. to graft by inserting a single bud into the stock.

bud

²

[ buhd ]

noun

1. brother; buddy (used in informal address, as to one's brother or to a man or boy whose name is not known to the speaker).

Bud

³

or Budd

[ buhd ]

noun

1. a male given name.

bud

¹

/ bʌd /

noun

1. a swelling on a plant stem consisting of overlapping immature leaves or petals
2. 1. a partially opened flower
   2. ( in combination )

      rosebud

3. any small budlike outgrowth

   taste buds

4. something small or immature
5. an asexually produced outgrowth in simple organisms, such as yeasts, and the hydra that develops into a new individual
6. a slang word for marijuana
7. in bud
   at the stage of producing buds
8. nip in the bud
   to put an end to (an idea, movement, etc) in its initial stages

verb

1. intr (of plants and some animals) to produce buds
2. intr to begin to develop or grow
3. tr horticulture to graft (a bud) from one plant onto another, usually by insertion under the bark

bud

²

/ bʌd /

noun

1. informal.
   short for buddy

bud

/ bŭd /

Noun

1. A small swelling on a branch or stem, containing an undeveloped shoot, leaf, or flower. Some species have mixed buds containing two of these structures, or even all three.
2. ◆ Terminal buds occur at the end of a stem, twig, or branch.
3. ◆ Axillary buds, also known as lateral buds , occur in the axils of leaves (in the upper angle of where the leaf grows from the stem).
4. ◆ Accessory buds often occur clustered around terminal buds or above and on either side of axillary buds. Accessory buds are usually smaller than terminal and axillary buds.
5. A small rounded outgrowth on an asexually reproducing organism, such as a yeast or hydra, that is capable of developing into a new individual.
6. See more at budding
7. A tiny part or structure, such as a taste bud, that is shaped like a plant bud.

Verb

1. To form or produce a bud or buds.

Other Words From

• budder noun
• budless adjective
• budlike adjective
• non·budding adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bud¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English budde, bodde “bud, spray, pod”; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Middle Dutch botte “bud,” or Old French bout “tip, end”

Origin of bud²

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; back formation from buddy

Word History and Origins

Origin of bud¹

C14 budde , of Germanic origin; compare Icelandic budda purse, Dutch buidel

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in the bud, in an immature or undeveloped state: Also in bud.

   a Shakespeare in the bud.

2. nip in the bud, to stop (something) in the beginning of its development:

   The rebellion was nipped in the bud.

More idioms and phrases containing bud

see nip in the bud .

Example Sentences

The Tuesday presentation also included ear buds — which typically connect to smartphones — and “smart glasses” as banned items.

From Los Angeles Times

In so doing, she drastically alters the relationships of all the show’s major characters — and forces two characters’ budding relationship into an unexpectedly political place.

From Salon

She had already begun a budding romance with Ron, an RAF gunner, but believed she had been rejected when his letters went unanswered.

From BBC

Biden was at his peak back then and probably would have beaten Trump, nipping his political career in the bud.

From Los Angeles Times

Such calls would have been out of step with the budding American Enlightenment liberal tradition.

From Salon