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Embryo

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means an unborn offspring in early development

Where does the word "embryo" come from? It comes from Greek embryon, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
embryon
Greek · ancient
"young one"
Greek, 'en', in, plus 'bryein', to swell
2
Stage 2 of 2
embryo
English · 1580s
"unborn young"
'in embryo', undeveloped, dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Embryo’s story begins in Greek: embryon meant “young one.” Greek, 'en', in, plus 'bryein', to swell. It reached English by 1580s as embryo. 'in embryo', undeveloped, dates from the 1600s. Today, embryo means an unborn offspring in early development.