The Collaborative International Dictionary
In embryo
Embryo \Em"bry*o\, n.; pl. Embryos. [F. embryon, Gr. 'e`mbryon, perh. fr. ? in (akin to L. ? E. in) + ? to be full of, swell with; perh. akin to E. brew.] (Biol.) The first rudiments of an organism, whether animal or plant; as:
The young of an animal in the womb, or more specifically, before its parts are developed and it becomes a fetus (see Fetus).
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The germ of the plant, which is inclosed in the seed and which is developed by germination.
In embryo, in an incipient or undeveloped state; in conception, but not yet executed. ``The company little suspected what a noble work I had then in embryo.''
--Swift.