An organ in its earliest stage of development

• Rudiment
• The foundation for subsequent development

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 (context biology English) primordium, the initial clustering of embryonic cells from which a body part develops 2 (context genetics English) allele, a specific version of a gene (as used by (w: Gregor Mendel)) 3 (context psychology English) temperament, ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"basis of a later development" (plural anlagen ), 1892, from German anlage "foundation, basis," from anlagen (v.) "to establish," from an "on" + legen "to lay" (see lay (v.)).

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Anlage may refer to: Allele , a specific version of a gene, as used by Gregor Mendel Anlage Süd , a headquarters facility of the German Third Reich located in Strzyżów, Poland Primordium , the initial clustering of embryonic cells from which a body part ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. an organ in its earliest stage of development; the foundation for subsequent development [syn: primordium ] [also: anlagen (pl)]